Cape Town's Click Kollectif: Where Heritage Meets Innovation in South African Art

In the vibrant art scene of Cape Town, three extraordinary artists are weaving together cultural heritage, personal narrative, and environmental consciousness to create works that both honor tradition and push boundaries. Under the banner of the Click Kollectif (deliberately spelled with a "K" to pay homage to local Cape Town dialect and Afrikaans language roots), Yunus Ogier, Reece Atkin, and Andrea Snell are reshaping what South African art means in the contemporary world. 

Yunus Ogier artistic journey spans continents, having travelled from Cape Town to Indonesia and back again. His two-year art scholarship in Bali proved transformative, exposing him to wood carving, batik fabric printing, and deepening his understanding of abstract expression.

For Yunus, art serves as a meditative practice and emotional release. Working with pen, marker, highlighter, and paint, he creates predominantly abstract and figurative pieces that reflect his ongoing exploration of identity and self-expression. His process is deeply personal yet universally relatable—a visual navigation of lived experience that speaks to broader themes of cultural connection and personal discovery.

Born and raised in South Africa, Reece Atkin has built a unique artistic practice that celebrates the intersection of car culture and indigenous heritage. His studies in automotive design in Japan provided technical foundation for work that has evolved into a rich visual narrative about South African identity.

Reece canvases immortalize cars that are far more than mere vehicles—they're symbols of cultural pride and self-expression, particularly within Black and Colored communities. By blending his technical expertise with elements of his Khoisan heritage, Reece creates art that tells intricate stories about history, identity, and community connection.

Andrea Snell approaches art through an entirely different lens—one focused on eco-consciousness and spiritual transcendence. As an eco-multidisciplinary artist, she transforms recycled materials into thought-provoking pieces that comment on our relationship with the planet.

Andrea's journey into sustainable art began with something as simple as her mother's discarded mascara. Today, she's a dedicated dumpster diver, finding beauty and possibility in what others discard. Her intuitive creative process produces vibrant works featuring silhouettes against expressive backgrounds, each piece carrying messages about sustainability while evoking deep emotional responses.

What makes the Click Kolletif truly special is their shared commitment to community engagement and sustainable practices. These artists don't just create for galleries—they envision transforming public spaces, making art accessible to all, and using creative expression as a tool for social change.

Their collaborative approach nurtures a creative ecosystem that reflects the intricacies and beauty of South African life. By upcycling materials and engaging with public spaces, they're not just making art—they're modelling new ways of relating to our environment and to each other.

Each artist continues to evolve their practice in exciting ways. Reece is exploring new integrations of car culture with indigenous design elements. Yunus is pushing his abstract style into new territories of identity expression. Andrea is expanding her eco-art practice while seeking innovative ways to bring art into public spaces.

Together, as the Click Kollectif, they represent the dynamic future of South African art—one that honors cultural heritage while embracing innovation, sustainability, and community connection.

To follow the Click kollectif journey, find them on Instagram @click_kollectif_cpt or contact them at clickkollectif@gmail.com.

Click on the video to listen to the interview: 

Presenter: Jasnine Roberts

Producer: Lydia M