Belgium has proudly unveiled a landmark street mural in Cape Town. This is a moving artwork celebrating openness and diversity in the run-up to the world-famous Cape Town Pride and as part of Belgium’s call for the world to embrace openness to diversity.
Located in the heart of the city, Embracing Openness is the work of Elena Lawrence, a South African artist known for her vibrant murals and unique art style.
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Embracing Openness was commissioned by the FPS Prime Minister’s Office of the Belgian Prime Minister, in collaboration with the Belgian Consulate General in Cape Town, in the context of this year’s International Public Art Festival (IPAF). This initiative is a continuation of Belgium’s push to encourage societies to embrace openness so that everyone can benefit from the virtues of an open, tolerant and inclusive society that can ensure progress and prosperity for all. It is part of a campaign. Values shared by both Belgium and South Africa.
“We are extremely proud to present this incredibly creative work. Street art is a highly engaging art form in public spaces, and ideal for conveying this important message. The choice of a mural was logical for us as it is a cultural platform,” explained Matthias Bogart, Consulate General of Belgium in Cape Town. From the moment of conceptualization, Elena understood exactly the message of openness that we wanted to convey. Embracing openness reflects the spirit of Belgium, home to diverse communities and cultures where this value is key to progress. ”
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Lawrence’s unique images embody themes of love, unity, understanding, and acceptance. Using her signature vibrant palette and subtle interplay of shapes, the artist aims to offer passersby a warm embrace, a chance to celebrate diversity and reflect on the struggle for openness. It is considered.
“For me, this commission was very tied to my approach to art. I wanted to create something impactful yet warm to convey what it feels like to embrace openness, so I wanted to create something impactful, yet warm. Targeted yet not intimidating, this location is meant to be visible to everyone celebrating Pride,” commented Lawrence.
Embracing openness enlivens our culture by expressing diversity in two ways: in terms of love and by offering diverse perspectives.
Both Belgium and South Africa are pioneers in diversity. Last year, Belgium celebrated its 20th anniversary of legalizing same-sex marriage, becoming the second country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. With the same pioneering spirit, South Africa was the first country on the continent to do the same.
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The “Embracing Openness” mural is located on Alfred Street behind BP Station, 8001, Greenpoint, Cape Town.