“The people here have something unique, because of the way that we love to make fun of each other.” 
This week we meet with Boeta Phyf, a Cape Town based ‘3D graffiti’ artist whose pieces are influenced by “ South African culture, with the key ingredient being Cape Town chutney”.
Voices of the City is a weekly feature that spotlights the everyday lives of our citizens, living and working in the city. By asking the same five questions to all our interviewees, we discover not only how our experiences of the city differ, but also what we share. It is a daunting task to try and capture the diverse experiences of our city’s inhabitants, but we feel that it is a worthy, and necessary, endeavor, in order to better understand the present and future of our city.
This week we meet with Boeta Phyf a Cape Town-based artist whose combination of wooden characters and graffiti, inspired by the ‘potjie pot’ of South African culture has lead him to become a unique voice in Cape Town’s art scene. He firmly believes in the power of cutting a gatsby into three, good parenting,seat belts and snacks. He chooses not to show his face when doing profile pieces, as he feels his work should in no way be judged in relation to what he looks like.
What about Cape Town inspires you the most?
Gatsbies (a french loaf sliced lengthwise filled with a variety of fillings), Corner stores, Gam Koppe. We have a huge variety of culture, backgrounds and history here. The people here have something unique, because of the way that we love to make fun of each other. What really inspires me is gangsters, taxi violence and the fact that every shopping mall has a full parking at 9 o clock in the morning on a weekday. Don’t these mense (people) work? Also, tourists that drive down Long Street the wrong way, which makes everybody in Long Street unite to clap for these humans.
Do you have a secret space or place that you enjoy in the city?
Golden dish, cozy corner, my garage. My two favourite places in this city at the moment are a small bistro in Hout Bay called Delish. But the number one spot I have been going to since I was a laaitie (child) is called Berg River Resort, also known as Campus Paradise. Although it’s closer to Paarl, so it’s not really Cape Town. But ja (yes) .
What was the last exciting event you attended in the city?
The major events I go to is club duvet, DJ pillow is always on the decks. I have two kids, so I never leave the house. The last show I was showing work with, which warrants me leaving home, because its “work” related, was That Art Fairs VIP opening, that was a lekker (good) night.
What frustrates you about the city?
Hipsters.
You can have dinner with one person living or dead. Who is it and why?
Tupac, Alex Yanes, that kin from murder she wrote. In all honesty I would if I could choose anyone to eat dinner with anyone, I would chose my wife, we always lag (laugh) together and she doesn’t mind me being uitgevriet (greedy).
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Credits
- All images by Boeta Phyf