golden
• 20 comments •
The flower, pictured above, is made entirely of recycled cans by Khayelitsha resident, Golden Nongawuza. Our tour took us into Golden's workshop/gallery/home, where he treated us to a step-by-step demonstration of his technique for building one of his signature flowers. Years ago, while struggling to find work, Golden claims to have been sent a message from God, through his dreams, to find a solution to his poverty in a junkyard. Using aluminum cans, he started making a variety of flowers for tourists. As his technique has improved, so has his creativity.
Sunflowers, roses, lilies, are a small sample of the variety of flowers on display in his workshop. Golden has earned enough from his flowers to send all his daughters to school, even though he himself struggles to read. He is assisted in his workshop by his daughter who opted not to go to school. The small space is filled with cans and paint supplies in addition to postcards and letters from fans all over the globe. He also has several posters of Obama on his walls! Golden and his family continue to live in Khayelitsha and fabricate the flowers. His English is limited, but he loves visitors from around the world.
20 comments
how inspiring! you are meeting some really awesome people along the way!
ReplyDeletethis is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing! I want one. :P
ReplyDeletevery cool photography! this artist is a treasure and you captured his pieces with such style!
ReplyDeletethose recycled can flowers are amazing and i love your hair!
ReplyDelete~thanks for visiting my blog.
i love the textures in these photos!
ReplyDeletebeautiful pictures! and a wonderful story!
ReplyDeletethanks for visiting my blog! this post is lovely - what an awesome experience!
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful thing to witness and share! Thank you so much. I LOVE viewing artistry across the nations.
ReplyDeleteIncredible.
wow!!! amazing blog... i adore your pictures!
ReplyDeletexx
V.
http://vklbr.blogspot.com/
Your blog is such a good find! You two are on adventure that many of us only dream of. Amazing photos and amazing subjects. Thanks for the treat of a sneak peak in Golden's workshop. Will be back for more. Ele from BORO x
ReplyDeleteHis flowers are beautiful! Did you get one?
ReplyDeletesuch a sweet story.
ReplyDeleteso clever and pretty!
ReplyDeleteawesome!!
ReplyDeleteand seriously.. how do you manage to look so fab traveling??
thats such an amazing story! and his work is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHis story is so inspiring! And those flowers are so lovely! They would sell really well in an etsy store or something, I am sure of it.
ReplyDeleteThis is so much more uplifting than that shark diving adventure! I am glad that I scrolled down a bit!
ReplyDeletehow amazing you got a tour, my friend brought me back a elephant made from a can when she was in cape town and I adore it. I am loving all your posts from there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for ones marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.
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continue your great posts, have a nice day!
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