MOVE OVER BANKSY: MARS IS HERE

Renowned for his explosive and thought-provoking murals, graffiti artist Mars has transformed the Jozi’s landscape into a kaleidoscope of colours and ideas.

His art can be seen on the walls of buildings, motor passes, and intriguingly, even forgotten lots, each piece breathing life and character into its surroundings. But who is Mars, and what inspires his unmistakable style?

Origin story
“I first encountered graffiti art as a teenager; it was visible along many of the roads I used to drive to school on. I saw the bright colours and the cool characters and illustrations. I didn’t know why it was there or what it was, but I knew that I wanted to find out. I eventually met some older kids who were doing it, and they introduced me,” Mars says.

Mars’s journey as an artist began with a passion for self-expression that blossomed during his formative years.

The Heart of His Art
“The graffiti movement was all I was interested in at the time; nothing unrelated to graffiti was on my radar, and I was obsessed. Local artists who were prominent at the time and inspiring to me were Tapz, Rasty, Jesk and Fuse,” he says

Each mural serves not just as a piece of art but as a momentary escape from the daily grind – an invitation for viewers to smile and reconnect with their sense of wonder. “My style is rooted in a traditional graffiti foundation, so all my work is done with spray paint. I often explore typography and style writing with my alias, Mars.

“I like exploring faces and characters too, but overall, I love learning new things and pushing myself, which is what has kept my art interesting for me for the last 20 years.”

When he’s doing a commission or a portrait, there’s less freestyling involved, says Mars. “I would plan it out more. Choose the colours beforehand and have the design ready to be implemented as is.

“I use spray paint almost always, and for large areas I would use acrylic, but I love the spray-can painting – large-scale piece with spray paint is a full-body movement; it’s very physical and fast.”

The Future of Graffiti Art in South Africa
With the establishment of his arts company, Mars is committed to pushing the boundaries of graffiti art in South Africa with Kudos Creative.

“Kudos Creative was created for the love of painting. I wanted to paint for a living, and to do that, I needed a registered company. Since its inception 10 years ago, I’ve done hundreds of commissions with loads of different artists and many businesses and individuals. I’m blessed to be able to do what I love for a living,“ he says.

He further envisions a future where street art is not only celebrated but also integrated into urban development. “I think culturally, South Africa has a lot to offer. We come from a very rich and diverse history, so there is a lot for artists to use as inspiration. We also have a lot of issues that need addressing. I think graffiti and street art can be used to shed light and educate people.” 

A Lasting Impression
Mars is more than just an artist; he’s a storyteller whose canvas is the city itself. “The culture will continue; there are loads of people painting, with younger artists coming up and doing their thing,” he says.