There is a district in the South African city of Johannesburg, which is standing testament to the dramatic change that has happened throughout the country since the end of Apartheid. The power and passion of the creative society of artists and those who support the artists is evident in the area of the city close to Owl Street and Stanley Avenue, not far from some of the charming Johannesburg boutique hotels . This precinct was started by the mavericks of the contemporary art scene, Ricci Pollack and Brian Green . The creative energy that surrounds these studio spaces and lofts is palpable the moment one enters the tiny city of artists. Although the entrance is a bit hidden, once inside it is easy to leave behind the reality of gritty city streets and the hub bub of the metropolis seems to disappear.
There are many buildings in the community, all linked by rickety bridges and staircases and passage ways. To the south of the compound is the Refinery . Many various artists live and work in this building, such as painters, TV celebrities, actors and musicians. There is a film school on premises, Afda , the Atlas Studio and the Gas Works lofts. It was not always the case, but this has become the new hot spot for business and residential living in Johannesburg.
When Brian Green took over the property it was a disaster. Homeless people were living in the buildings, without plumbing and in places where anything of value had been stolen. There was no option for renting out any of the spaces at that time as it was of the least desirable sections of the city. At the same time, a man from New York was working on a similar project in the area, Ricci Pollack. A chance meeting of a mutual friend at a party, got them talking and they joined forces to create the artistic environment they had been searching for. There was so much space and they wanted artists to have access to it. There is a small cafe on the premises, the Salvation , and there is a bike shopped that sells fixed up used bicycles, but that is it. All the other inhabitants are working artists striving to create and to be heard, finally, in Johannesburg.