Johannesburg City Library gets artistic touch as construction work advances

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16-04-2025
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Joburg.org.za
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​​In celebration of World Art Day, 15 April, the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), on behalf of the City of Johannesburg's Community Development Department, is proud to announce Lorenzo Nassimbeni as the winner of the Joburg City Library Public Art Competition.

A South African architect, conceptual artist, and educator, Nassimbeni's practice exists at the intersection of architecture and visual art. His work explores ideas through drawing, which he regards as the primary language of design thinking.

With a focus on social impact, his interventions aim to unpack urban and natural landscapes while remaining community-centered and visually resonant.

For the Joburg City Library project, Nassimbeni's winning concept invites pupils from selected township communities to become co-creators in a process that connects memory, design, and storytelling. Through a specially designed workshop, pupils will reflect on the library's architecture and create graphic interpretations using pre-cut architectural shapes. These collages will form the content of a commemorative picture book to be archived in the library, preserving the process and its meaning. The pupils' artwork will also inspire the final design of the decorative screen to camouflage the new water tank installation outside the heritage building.

This public art initiative is part of the broader renovations and fire compliance upgrades currently underway at the Johannesburg City Library (JCL), one of the inner city's most iconic heritage sites. The JDA extends its gratitude to the panel of judges and heritage representatives whose expertise and insight played a vital role in the artist selection process:

Judging Panel:

• Palesa Mnyaka – City of Johannesburg
• Brandan Hart – Mayat Hart Architects and Heritage Consultants
• Flo Bird – Honorary Life President, Johannesburg Heritage Foundation
• Tlo Selomo – City of Johannesburg
• Yasmin Mayat – Mayat Hart Architects & Heritage Consultants
• Captain Motimele – City of Johannesburg​

Heritage Representatives:

• Wynand Dreyer
• Brian McKechnie
• Tunde Ojo Aromokudu
• Tasheel Subkaran
• Monika Lauferts-Le Roux

The top three finalists were Lorenzo Nassimbeni (1st place), Bongani Mahlathi, also known as Dbongz (2nd place), and Lungiswa Sibisi (3rd place).

Phase two of the Johannesburg City Library refurbishment project has reached 60% completion. This phase includes critical building, electrical, and mechanical works aimed at ensuring compliance with the City's Emergency Management Services (EMS) by-laws and National Building Regulations.

“This project reflects the City's vision of restoring cultural landmarks while embedding the arts and community participation in the urban fabric," said JDA CEO Themba Mathibe. “We're proud to support public art that not only beautifies our spaces but also invites citizens—especially young learners—to become storytellers of their own heritage."