All across South Africa, people live in plain, unadorned houses that often get overlooked by those looking for flashier places. And while they may not be the fanciest, so many people call them home that they shouldn't be forgotten, overlooked, or seen as worthless.
But sometimes to make something really shine, all you need is a fresh coat of paint.
Of course, if you're Cape Town–based street artist Falko, that's not going to just be one color of paint, but a whole rainbow!
With his work, Falko pays homage not only to the citizens whose houses he's spiced up, but to one of the continent's most enduring symbols: the elephant.
In a project that took five-and-a-half months and the entirety of South Africa to complete, Falko used his talent to decorate the homes and public spaces with colorful, quirky, and personality-filled elephants.
After all, elephants are known for their amazing sensitivity and intelligence, and even their appreciation of music, so what better animal to showcase?
Check out some of the elephants Falko has painted around South Africa below, and let us know your favorite!
[H/T: BoredPanda]
Grafitti artist Falko, who hails from Cape Town, started a project called "Once Upon A Town" that took him across the country, painting vibrant elephants on homes, in public spaces, and anywhere that needed a burst of color.
His mission with the project was to help the residents of these small towns see their homes as places of beauty, value, and culture.
"Add a little paint and it's not just a scruffy shack anymore," he explained. "It's a shack with artwork on it, part of a huge open-air gallery. It changes everyone's perception."
By creating one-of-a-kind art in public spaces, the artwork is accessible and visible to everyone, no matter their age, occupation, or experience with art. They simply get to enjoy it.
And if they live far from a cultural hub with museums and other art scenes, that's OK too! Because Falko's art has come to them.
Falko also says he specifically chooses to create his elephants in small towns because "they need it the most."
These small, often isolated towns are considered devoid of culture, and so Falko wants to give them something to love looking at.
And it also gives him a chance to get to know the residents, as well as his country.
Falko has also experienced his share of racial discrimination in South Africa, and so he sees his creation of art as a way to turn a painful past into a bright future for all.
"I'm not coming in to save lives, I'm not coming in to preach," he says. For him, it's more about meeting the people, getting to know them, and leaving them with beautiful works of art.
And the bright, unexpected herd of elephants stretching across the country also serves as a literal visual link between people who may otherwise never know one another.
Falko has been creating public art in South Africa since 1988, and has since become one of the founding figures in the country's vibrant street art scenes.
And elephants are one of his favorite things to paint, but certainly not the only thing!
And so far, they've been a big hit with the people living in the towns he visits.
He also likes to incorporate the existing features and shapes of the buildings into his paintings (like this light bulb) so no two elephants are ever the same, and they speak directly to the town where they've been painted.
