ARTICLES

My primary interest as a photo historian is in historical South African photographs from before 1915, but photographs from before the 1960s are not totally excluded from my research interest. 

Most images curated in the Hardijzer Photographic Research Collection (HPRC) are, therefore, more than 65 years old with some as old as 175 years.

 

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

Bra Gib was the founding father of theatre in the black townships – writing, acting and training talented singers, dancers, and actors to appear in his Township Musicals. He entertained local audiences, bringing laughter and catchy songs to the makeshift stages, but his musicals also dealt with social issues of crime, poverty, and apartheid.