PURPLE RAIN -THE JACARANDAS OF JOHANNESBURG

 Every year in October Johannesburg turns purple! The city is one of the largest man-made urban forests in the world, with more than 10 million trees. Jacaranda saplings were imported from Brazil in 1888 presumably to beautify dusty colonial tracks, and this work is partly about the intersection of indigenous and exotic vegetation in Johannesburg. At the end of the season the petals fall like purple rain and the streets crackle and pop with petals underfoot, eventually turning the streets into a musty, sour smelling mess. No one really minds though,  as Jacarandas make everyone temporarily forget the shortfalls of the city as they drink in the ephemeral beauty.

All images © 1997-2022 Caroline Suzman