At Morningside Shopping Centre, we are thrilled to unveil a stunning new expression of our personality—a captivating mural created in collaboration with Mars, the renowned urban contemporary artist. As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering creativity and sustainability, we partnered with Mars to bring our vibrant vision to life.
Mars, celebrated for his dynamic graffiti and urban art, was invited to transform a section of our lower parking into a vivid masterpiece. His work not only beautifies our space but also resonates deeply with our core values of community, innovation, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
My Journey to Mars
Hey everyone, Mars here! I wanted to take a moment to share my story. From my early days discovering street culture to my current life as an urban contemporary artist, my journey has been one steeped in colour and expression.
My story begins when I was 15, the age I found my alter ego. Back then, I was deeply immersed in the world of street culture, graffiti, and art. The vibrant energy of the streets spoke to me, and I felt a strong pull toward expressing myself through this unique art form.
Fast forward a few years, and I graduated with a degree in Multimedia Design. This academic journey equipped me with a diverse set of skills that I’ve since applied to my artistic endeavours. Over the years, I’ve painted hundreds of walls both in South Africa and around the globe. Johannesburg, with its dynamic urban landscape, became a second home where I created numerous public artworks and fully integrated into African society.
My artistic journey has led to two solo exhibitions and numerous group shows, allowing me to share my vision with a wider audience. Traveling for work has taken me to fascinating places across Africa, Europe, South America, Asia, and the Middle East, where I’ve left my mark on walls and engaged with diverse cultures.
In addition to my personal art projects, I founded Kudos Creative and lead the team as the principal artist. Our commercial work is something I’m incredibly proud of, with our art representing major brands like S.A.B, Absa Bank, Coca-Cola, Converse, Huawei, Mercedes, Nando’s, Standard Bank, and Sprite, among others.
Graffiti has always been at the heart of my creative journey. Starting in high school, it was my first love and has remained a constant source of inspiration. After working in the creative field for some time, I decided to pursue my passion for art full-time, diving headfirst into the world of graffiti and urban art.
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to participate in many group exhibitions alongside my solo shows. My work has found homes not just in South Africa, but also in Europe and the USA. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful for every opportunity to share my art with the world.
Working with big brands has been a thrilling part of my career, allowing me to blend commercial art with my urban roots. From Converse and Mercedes-Benz to Nando’s and PepsiCo, each project has been a unique experience, pushing the boundaries of creativity and expression.
I thank Morningside for allowing me to be part of their journey and helping to nurture my own. Stay tuned for more updates and new projects as I continue to explore the intersection of street culture and contemporary art.
If you want to reach out, you can find me on Kudos Creative.
Peace,
Mars