In Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao, a remarkable phenomenon is taking place: instead of renovating dilapidated buildings in the conventional way, artists are consciously using the traces of weathering in their street art. This creative strategy for dealing with urban decay goes beyond the usual shabby chic.
The historic city center of Willemstad has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. It owes this recognition to its unique Caribbean urban culture and the mixture of colonial and Caribbean architectural styles. At the same time, it is committed to a sensitive approach to modern street art.
The street art of Curaçao is deeply rooted in the history of resistance against oppression and colonialism. Memories of slavery transform decay into symbols of cultural vitality and show respect for history. Timeless themes and positive developments also find expression.
In Willemstad, Francis Sling’s large-format murals are impossible to miss. After working as a graphic designer in the Netherlands, he returned to Curaçao in 2018 and quickly became a central figure in the street art scene.
The story of the two birds, who meet in the same place every day, metaphorically reflects the revitalization of the Scharloo district. Artists and residents have revitalized their district and turned it into a place for cultural encounters. The Street Art Skalo initiative has transformed Scharloo into a vibrant project.
For the KayaKaya Festival 2024, Francis Sling created the highly visible mural Djosa in Otrabanda, which poses the question of God. His explanation of the work on the neighboring wall is in English to reach an international audience, while the work itself uses the local language. The ambiguity of the spelling (Yo-Sa or Djosa) reflects the uncertainty about the nature of God.
Clear lines and dynamic compositions characterize the style of the artist BLEND, alias Sander van Beusekom. He combines art with practical functions. In Otrabanda, simple steps from the right angle become the identification surface of the neighborhood. Break dancers and ballerinas don’t normally dance together. But on three houses, van Beusekom shows how a dance can develop between a rapper and a ballerina. The title of the triptych: Life is a beautiful struggle.
In front of the tanks of the waterworks, van Beusekom continues the tradition of educational communication through murals. A work commissioned by Aqualectra traces the history of Curaçao’s drinking water supply. It encourages people to appreciate water as a valuable resource and to use it sustainably.
Since 2018, Venezuelan artist Jhomar Loaiza has enriched the walls of Curaçao with a variety of motifs. His works reference the African roots of Caribbean culture and celebrate the internationally successful baseball stars from Curaçao.
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