INSTAGRAMMABLE JAMES DELANEY ANIMALS HOLD THE PROMISE OF JOBURG’S PEOPLE RETURNING TO THE WILDS
International artist, sculptor and print-maker James Delaney is a creative chameleon reinventing The Wilds of downtown Jozi to put the people back in our public spaces.
New year or any time of year, artists regularly reinvent themselves and from his base at Victoria Yards, Joburg to exhibitions in the U.K., U.S. and Europe, James Delaney is a master at it.
James shares that he’s always loved playing with colour and recalls painting and drawing incessantly as a little kid. It’s a passion he built on throughout his adolescent and adult years, and is pleased to have been doing it full-time for the last 20 years.
He works in various mediums that includes and Impasto style painting technique and laser cut metal sculptors.
He’s a big advocate for green spaces and has spent much time greening parks throughout Joburg.
One of James’ resolutions this January is a return to his ‘re-wilding’ of a forty acre downtown park called The Wilds with a more social media savvy approach. Once a park that had been abandoned by the people in city of gold, James set out to do something that would catch their attention and was shareable on social media.
Taking inspiration from the park’s heritage, James chose to re-introduce the animals that once frequented the land in the form of large scale laser sculptures in bright, popping colours.
That’s but one project he’s working on. We spend the day with James to find out more about his collaborative projects and digital works.
Q&A WITH JAMES
What does ‘living better’ mean to you? / How are you aspiring to live better?
To live closer to nature, to eat healthier, to engage with my surroundings, and to live more slowly.
What legacy would you like to leave behind?
To leave places in the world that I touch, a little better.
What 2 valuable lessons would you like to share with South Africa?
Being close to nature will give much greater rewards, in health & happiness for the rest of our lives, than all the materialism & social media we’re told are important.
Where do you go to escape and connect with yourself?
The Wilds in Joburg, or to the mountains and wilderness areas outside the city.
Do you have an encouraging quote for us, to end off on?
Plant a tree each year. If you don’t have a garden, plant the tree in a public space where everyone can enjoy it.
