411
Public Art Meets Community Storytelling as Lorenzo Nassimbeni Wins Joburg Library Competition
In honour of World Art Day on 15 April, the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) has revealed Lorenzo Nassimbeni as the winner of the Joburg City Library Public Art Competition. The announcement forms part of the City of Johannesburg’s effort to combine cultural restoration with youth engagement through public art.
Nassimbeni, a South African architect and conceptual artist, impressed the judging panel with his community-focused concept that blends memory, storytelling, and architecture. His approach invites young learners from township schools to take part in the creative process, connecting them directly to the heart of Johannesburg’s public art movement.
The project is centred around the Johannesburg City Library, currently undergoing renovations and fire compliance upgrades. Nassimbeni’s initiative will involve pupils reflecting on the library’s architecture through workshops where they will create collages from pre-cut shapes. These designs will be turned into a commemorative picture book archived in the library and used to inspire a decorative screen around a new water tank at the historic site.
Known for exploring the boundaries between architecture and visual art, Nassimbeni focuses on socially impactful work that interprets both urban and natural environments through drawing—his primary design language.
PIcture: City Of Joburg
Celebrating Collaboration and Cultural Heritage
The competition forms part of ongoing efforts to refurbish the Joburg City Library (JCL), a key cultural landmark in the city’s inner core. The initiative reflects the City’s broader vision of revitalising public spaces while empowering local communities to engage with art and heritage.
The JDA extended thanks to the judging panel and heritage specialists who guided the selection process with their deep knowledge of both architecture and cultural conservation.
Judging Panel
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Palesa Mnyaka | City of Johannesburg |
| Brandan Hart | Mayat Hart Architects & Heritage Consultants |
| Flo Bird | Johannesburg Heritage Foundation (Honorary Life President) |
| Tlo Selomo | City of Johannesburg |
| Yasmin Mayat | Mayat Hart Architects & Heritage Consultants |
| Captain Motimele | City of Johannesburg |
Heritage Representatives
Wynand Dreyer
Brian McKechnie
Tunde Ojo Aromokudu
Tasheel Subkaran
Monika Lauferts-Le Roux
The top three finalists were:
-
1st Place: Lorenzo Nassimbeni
-
2nd Place: Bongani Mahlathi (Dbongz)
-
3rd Place: Lungiswa Sibisi
Library Refurbishment Progress
The second phase of the Joburg City Library refurbishment project has reached 60% completion. This includes essential electrical, mechanical, and structural upgrades to comply with the City’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) by-laws and National Building Regulations.
JDA CEO Themba Mathibe praised the initiative, saying, “This project reflects the City’s vision of restoring cultural landmarks while embedding the arts and community participation in the urban fabric. We’re proud to support public art that not only beautifies our spaces but also invites citizens—especially young learners—to become storytellers of their own heritage.”
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Sourced:City Of Joburg
