Project Phoenix shows creativity changes lives

The new video documents the journey from gang member to productive citizen.

After 18 years spent in gangs, jail and the world of drugs, Roger Mouton spent his 30th birthday on the streets contemplating suicide. Project Phoenix documents his journey from the streets to his eventual re-integration into society and the role creativity played in this transformation. When Roger made the decision to turn his life around, he found that his body - marked with gang tattoos - did not reflect his inner attempts to change. With the help of Cape Town tattoo artist, Manuela Gray of Wildfire Tattoos, Project Phoenix documents how thoughtful design helped transform Roger's exterior into a symbol of his reformed life.

Spinning tattoo perceptions

"People would cross the road when they saw Roger coming. Now they come up to him, ask him about his tattoos and tell him how beautiful they are. It is a complete turnaround from what he is used to," says FoxP2 producer Katherine Searle-Tripp who worked on the project for over a year.

Project Phoenix sees FoxP2 re-unite with director Robin Goode of Giant films who co-directed the documentary with Karien Murray. "Robin was a natural choice as he directed our 'Pappa Wag Vir Jou' ads for Drive Dry, a campaign that featured ex-prisoners and had a massive cultural impact," says art director Ryan Barkhuizen.

Roger Mouton

The work had a profound effect on Gray, too. "She is an incredible artist who worked tirelessly to help create pieces that not only reflected Roger's inner transformation, but became symbols of his life moving forward. The process was organic and we could see how humbling it was for her," says copywriter Alex Goldberg, who witnessed the transformation in Manuela and Roger's relationship first-hand.

"The closer Manuela got to understanding Roger's hopes and dreams, the more the tattoos started to define themselves. Where his body once told a tale of crime and fear, now it tells a story of hope and rebirth. This journey changed everyone involved. To see her work change the nature of which people perceived Roger and the way he saw himself was truly inspirational and we could see the affect it had on Manuela."

Today, Roger has re-united with his estranged family and has found work as an apprentice in an engineering firm. He has also committed to help troubled youths in his community. Says FoxP2 ECD Justin Gomes, "Seeing how Project Phoenix has affected Roger's life on such a meaningful level, I am very proud of the creative team who came up with this idea. It felt like a natural fit to premiere this documentary at The Design Indaba, a world-class conference that inspires its delegates to use their creativity for good, and ultimately create a better world through creativity."

To view the documentary, go to www.ProjectPhoenix.co.za.