Soweto Tower Painting - (Sowet Gold 2017 / FNB 2010)

In 2009, Ezefuna Ozor-Ejike began a transformative project, painting the Soweto Twin Towers for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Overcoming challenges and dedicating six months to the endeavour, Ejike’s artistry has turned the towers into iconic landmarks, contributing to Soweto’s cultural legacy and inspiring generations to come. He took SAUL MOLOBI, Jambo Africa Online’s Publisher, down his memory lane…

In the heart of Soweto, towering at 90 meters high, stand the iconic Soweto Twin Towers, adorned with breathtaking artwork that tells a tale of resilience, dedication, and artistic brilliance. This masterpiece is the result of the extraordinary journey embarked upon by renowned artist Ozor Ejike, whose story unfolds with every stroke of the brush.

Ejike’s involvement with these twin towers dates back to 2010 when he was approached by WallScapes painting studios, owned by the late Gayle Rodman. Commissioned by FNB for the 2010 Soccer World Cup hosted by South Africa, the first tower became a canvas for Ejike’s artistic prowess. Little did he know that this would be the beginning of a monumental journey.

Fast forward to 2017, and Ejike found himself facing a new challenge. Kena Group, an OOH Media advertising company, and Posterscope, an OOH Advertising Agency, approached him to paint the second tower adjacent to the first, featuring their approved artwork for Soweto Gold. Thus began a journey that would test his mental, emotional, and physical limits, but also reward him with a sense of accomplishment like no other.

It involves approximately 4,320 hours of both digital and traditional art-making processes, all aimed at placing a rectangular piece of A3 size artwork on a cylindrical structure with constantly varying dimensions. The challenges, however, don’t end there.

The structural intricacies of the approved Soweto Gold artwork demanded precision and foresight. Ejike had to consider not only the placement of characters but also their alignment with arterial road networks in and around Soweto. The coordinate stencil technique, a method devised by the artist, allowed for the meticulous placement of elements using alphabets and digits, ensuring a seamless fusion of art and urban aesthetics.

“Witnessing the twin towers evolve into tourist attractions and iconic landmarks of Soweto is a deeply emotional experience. It goes beyond the paint and the artistic process – it’s a testament to the power of creativity to transform spaces, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impact on the community. To see people from all walks of life appreciating and connecting with the artwork fills my heart with immense joy and gratitude. It’s a reminder that art has the profound ability to transcend barriers, tell stories, and become an integral part of the cultural fabric of a place.”

The Nigerian-born Ezefuna Ozor-Ejike – a distinguished visual multimedia artist, wall mural art producer, and faux painter – has left an indelible mark on the art world over two decades. His expertise spans hyper-realistic paintings, composite material sculptures, resin art productions, and digital creations, showcasing a versatile mastery of various art forms. Renowned for impactful mural productions in the Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising industry, Ozor-Ejike is not only an artist but also a mentor, guiding emerging talents towards success.

For nearly two decades, Ezefuna Ozor-Ejike has carved an illustrious path in the realm of visual multimedia art, earning acclaim as a wall mural art producer and faux painter. His artistic prowess extends across hyper-realistic paintings, composite material sculptures, resin art productions, and captivating digital creations, showcasing a versatility that marks him as a master of various artistic forms.

Ozor-Ejike’s reputation has been further solidified through his impactful contributions to the Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising industry, where he is recognised for his transformative mural productions. 

Beyond the canvas, he assumes the role of a mentor, guiding emerging artists on their journey to success.