Art as a gateway to creativity in Soweto
Published 25 February 2025 in News
The sun cast long shadows over the dusty streets of Soweto as a group of eager children gathered around a roll of kraft paper. Laughter mixed with the scent of charcoal in the air as they
watched, wide-eyed, as French artist Jean Claude Desmerges demonstrated how a simple piece of kitchen charcoal could transform into a tool for powerful self-expression.
Within moments, hesitant hands became bold, tracing faces, splashing water, and scratching at the surface to create texture. This was no ordinary art lesson - it was a moment of discovery, an unspoken understanding that art could be a gateway to something greater.
Jean Claude, a renowned painter, researcher, and Doctor in Art Sciences from Paris, has spent the past six years exploring Africa’s cultural landscapes.
He immersed himself in the everyday lives of its people, using unconventional materials like cement bags and charcoal to capture their essence.
His journey brought him to Soweto, where he led two transformative workshops—one at Klipspruit-Wes Secondary School and another at a community artist’s studio in Kliptown.
Klipspruit-Wes Secondary School, an underperforming school in Soweto, faces numerous challenges, including limited resources and a high dropout rate.
Many of its students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with little access to extracurricular activities that foster creativity.
The workshop provided them with a rare opportunity to explore artistic expression, offering a glimpse into a world beyond their daily struggles.
For many of these students, it was their first encounter with an internationally acclaimed artist, making the experience all the more impactful.
"The first workshop lasted just one morning, but it was an unforgettable moment for them and for me," Jean Claude reflected. "I captured their spark of happiness and joy in their eyes. I felt like I was planting a seed when I saw them at work ‘charcoaling’ in such an energetic and experimental way."
The initial apprehension among the children quickly gave way to excitement as they embraced the creative process.
At Kliptown, the workshop attracted not only the youth but also intrigued adults who had never had the opportunity to engage in artistic expression.
Few of the children had drawn before, let alone worked with charcoal and water. Some marveled at how their hands, once hesitant, now moved freely across the paper.
