When Robin Rhode, an acclaimed artist, sought out a new canvas, he didn’t go for the typical gallery wall or studio.
Instead, he stumbled upon an abandoned sports ground in his complex and chaotic hometown of Johannesburg.
Hidden beneath overgrown grass, shattered bottles, and remnants of the past like bullet casings, he uncovered something unexpected—a decades-old miniature golf course, soccer fields, and a tennis training wall.
This forgotten space became the backdrop for his latest artistic expression.
Deep Connection to Johannesburg
Though Rhode now calls Berlin home, his roots are deeply tied to Johannesburg.
He grew up near this very sports ground, and even after moving to Europe 20 years ago, the city remains a central part of his creative process.
Known for his unique methods—like painting on walls and setting fire to pianos—he frequently incorporates everyday objects like keys and lightbulbs into his work using chalk and charcoal.
“My work is very much connected to Johannesburg.
The city itself, with its roughness and decay, almost begs for new stories to be told, new art to be made,” Rhode explained.
Much of his art is temporary, often created outdoors where weather eventually washes it away.
The real legacy lies in the playful photographs he captures with his collaborators, preserving these fleeting moments.
Despite his global success—his works have been acquired by institutions like New York’s Museum of Modern Art and he’s collaborated with bands like U2—Johannesburg continually draws him back.
The City’s Deterioration Fuels His Work
Returning to Johannesburg from Berlin, Rhode found himself struck by the dilapidation of the city’s structures, particularly places like Cecil Payne Stadium.
Once a shining training facility for the 2010 World Cup, it now lies abandoned, with its fencing sold for scrap, soccer fields overtaken by weeds, and nearby wetlands filled with makeshift squatter camps.
Johannesburg’s unstable political scene, which has seen 10 mayors in just eight years, only adds to the chaos.
Basic services like streetlights and train services have collapsed, and maintenance of public spaces has been long forgotten.
Rather than seeing this as a setback, Rhode views the decay as a source of artistic inspiration.
“Seeing these spaces fall apart has profoundly impacted me.
It’s inspired me to come back and breathe new life into these forgotten places,” he said.
Breathing Life into Forgotten Spaces
This sense of renewal inspired Rhode’s collection, Joburg Hymn.
In one project, he transformed the worn-out tennis courts by drawing lightbulbs across the cracked surface, with his brother Wesley capturing the moment through drone photography.
Another project combined his visual art with music performed by Cape Town piano prodigy Qden Blaauw and songs by local Johannesburg artists.
The synergy between visual and auditory art brought a fresh energy to the work.
His collaborator, Kevin Narain, reflected on the experience: “Working with Robin always leaves me feeling hopeful.
What we’re doing isn’t just art—it’s reviving these forgotten places, giving them meaning again.”
From Forgotten Courts to Prestigious Galleries
While the tennis courts that serve as Rhode’s canvas will eventually fade, the images, paired with music, are showcased in prestigious spaces like Johannesburg’s CIRCA gallery and the Stevenson Gallery.
These artistic venues may contrast sharply with the crumbling courts where the original art was made, but they highlight how these forgotten spaces remain central to Rhode’s creativity.
“The decaying Johannesburg landscape gives me inspiration.
It’s an opportunity to inject new life and energy into these spaces and use my art as a form of social critique,” Rhode said.
His work not only challenges political structures but also aims to spark change through creativity.
What’s Next for Rhode?
With Johannesburg as his eternal muse, Robin Rhode’s journey of breathing life into forgotten spaces is far from over.
As the city continues to decay, it only serves to fuel his passion for art that transforms and critiques, offering hope for both its past and future.
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