STREETWISE

Bushy Wopp's bold, vivid visual language is transforming the street art scene

- Luke Diva

LOCAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY

ARTIST BUSHY WOPP (Chad Hanning) is a Cape Town-born creative who's lending his skills to illustration, graffiti, graphic design, painting and various other mediums. He began his street art journey at 14, drawn to music and creative ways to unite the youth. His love for cartoons and vector illustrations is evident in his work, and he embraces vibrant and playful creativity and constantly pushes the boundaries with various textures and techniques. His monumental murals have added extra vibrancy to public spaces across South Africa. Hanning grew up in Cape Town's mecca of graffiti, Westridge, Mitchells Plain, where, for the longest time, graffiti was associated with vandalism, rebellion and gangsterism. Over the years, that narrative has changed, as it's evolved and metamorphosed not only into a visually fascinating art form but one that's, in Hanning's case, bringing the youth in communities together. Bushy has worked with many international brands, including Fila, Reebok, New Balance, Universal Studios and Amazon, and collaborated with local brands such as Shelflife, Archive, The Fix and SneakerLab. Having exhibited in numerous galleries, such as World Art and Art Bureau Collective, and put on his first solo show at Uncles Art Dealers in October 2020, Hanning is slowly becoming an international household name. The illustration sensation Bushy Wopp discusses with GQ his growth, the origins of his brand and what's next.

GQ: What's the story behind the name Bushy Wopp?