The power of good

Another election nearly over. And the arts barely rated a mention yet again. So here’s an inspiring reminder of how important the work of artists is, not just to create beauty and to express ideas, but to transform communities. How we wish that the pollies got it!

The artists Haas&Hahn had a dream to paint a hillside favela in Rio de Janiero. That’s a slum area, usually rife with young people who have few options beyond drugs and crime. Using an ingenious concept of expanding rays,

they were able to fill this normally depressing area with fabulous colour.

Best of all, they got the young people of the community involved, teaching them new skills, paying them a wage and providing hope of a better pathway through life.

Above: Before

It’s a huge project, with about 7000 m2 of hillside to cover, but these guys won’t stop until they’re finished. Right now they’re asking for donations to help them make it all the way up the hill. If you’ve been inspired, like us, even by a project so far away, here’s the details.

Discovered via OhJoy Images via the Favela Painting website