In the article below, Oscar Norwich, Johannesburg historian and collector, reveals the history behind Hohenheim, one of the grand mansions of old Johannesburg. The piece first appeared in the old Johannesburg Historical Foundation's journal 'Between the Chains'. Thank you to the Norwich family for their kind permission to publish this article.
BOOK REVIEWS
‘Geomotional’ is a remarkable and beautifully illustrated exploration of – as the sub-title says – ‘Geometric art, past and present’. The book, which has us journey through images, words, poetry and song, and gives account of a ‘performance-installation’, is compiled by Mary Elizabeth Lange, who is prolific in her writings on Indigenous art and story, and various intersections with heritage.
BLUE PLAQUES
In 1911 Thomas Farquhar, a successful stockbroker from Scotland, commissioned the famous Arts and Crafts architects Herbert Baker and FLH Fleming to design his home. The house is sited majestically on the Westcliff ridge, originally on five acres of land extending from Pallinghurst Road to the Old Government Road (Jan Smust Avenue).