Nine of these ‘urban tree’ sculptures were originally commissioned as part of the overall upgrade of the Braamfontein suburb in 2007 and as a device reinforcing the ‘cultural arc’ that links the Newtown Cultural Precinct immediately to the south to Braamfontein. The JDA was so pleased with the results that the agency commissioned the production of a further sixteen sculptures that establish a pedestrian route down Juta street. Trinity Session acted as commissioning agent and project manager.
The original designs for the works were generated out of workshops conducted by Trinity Session and the artist Claire Regnard with students from the Imbali Visual Literacy Project in Newtown, using recycled materials such as tyres and plastics. Regnard then developed this material into designs that could be laser cut from steel and assembled into the tree sculptures. The trees were produced and installed in two phases between 2006 and 2008
25 steel cut out trees mounted on concrete plinths.
Based on folded paper and paper cut-outs, each tree bears highly detailed design elements developed by the individual artists involved.
Nine of these ‘urban tree’ sculptures were originally commissioned as part of the overall upgrade of the Braamfontein suburb in 2007 and as a device reinforcing the ‘cultural arc’ that links the Newtown Cultural Precinct immediately to the south to Braamfontein. The JDA was so pleased with the results that the agency commissioned the production of a further sixteen sculptures that establish a pedestrian route down Juta street. Trinity Session acted as commissioning agent and project manager.
The original designs for the works were generated out of workshops conducted by Trinity Session and the artist Claire Regnard with students from the Imbali Visual Literacy Project in Newtown, using recycled materials such as tyres and plastics. Regnard then developed this material into designs that could be laser cut from steel and assembled into the tree sculptures. The trees were produced and installed in two phases between 2006 and 2008
A culmination of research gathered over many years, the Online Johannesburg Heritage Register is being launched on Nelson Mandela Day 18 July 2025.
Among the many heritage sites featured is Chancellor House, the downtown offices of Mandela and Tambo Attorneys in the 1950s. After having been vacant and shuttered for more than a decade, this iconic building is being revived and brought to life once again as offices for the Community Development Department, which oversees the City’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Services.
