One South African artist is using the street as his canvas and changing lives in the process . Ricky-Lee Gordon , who goes by his artist name Freddy Sam , describes himself as a creative activist who hopes to bring about social change through his projects . His latest ambition is to transform the Cape Town suburb , Woodstock , with murals full of color and positive messages . He says that business owners are happy for murals to be painted on their buildings because the color is rejuvenating the area . `` The area , the landscape and the architecture is really rundown and neglected so a mural can do a lot for an environment , '' Gordon said . `` Woodstock is I guess the up and coming art precinct . It was a thriving textile and clothing industry and community . A lot of families would move here to get work in these factories , but these factories unfortunately are closing down , '' he continued . Gordon explains that the cheap rent in Woodstock is now attracting artists and galleries to re-locate to the area but it 's not the only draw . `` Artists like to be surrounded by real culture , and there 's a real culture here . There 's a mix of people and it makes for an interesting life on the street , '' he added . 'Traffic light ' artists paint a brighter future . Gordon is also getting the community involved . One of the organizations he works with is the Percy Bartley orphanage , a home to boys aged eight to 18 years . `` When I found out about this home , I proposed to the sponsor to give us funding to rejuvenate the home with colors and murals , '' Gordon said . But what began as murals has now turned into a weekly art workshop at the home . Gordon says the boys will soon be opening their own art exhibition . `` It 's about using art for upliftment and inspiration , to really remind these boys that they are special , '' he said . Gordon is also hoping to attract more artists to the area . He runs a residency and project space called , Word of Art , where he invites creatives from around the world to come and live in Woodstock and get involved in the community . `` It 's a very special situation that we have here for artists to live and work in Woodstock so they just feel free to explore the streets and have a discovery of South Africa , a real personal South African story , '' he said . While it 's unclear what the future holds for Woodstock , Gordon says he knows that gentrification is coming and he wants to be part of it . `` I 'm not instigating it , I 'm not the reason there is gentrification , but I can influence the gentrification for the better , with art , with sensitivity , with communication between communities , '' he said . Until then Gordon plans to continue bringing color and beauty to the run-down suburb . `` The nice thing about public art is , it actually translates into a language and people can be affected by it and respond to it and give their opinion , and usually their opinion is very positive , '' he said . `` We make sure to make work that is sensitive and not offensive in any way , just colorful and vibrant. ``
Street artist , Freddy Sam , hopes to bring about social change through his projects . He has been arrested for protesting the Vietnam War and is currently in prison on a drug charge. The artist also runs a creative workshop at a local orphanage .