Castle

2017
Johannesburg
archival print/dibond/white frame
53.5-31.5 inches, (edition 5 + 2 a.p.)

The Three Castles Building is a landmark historic structure in downtown Johannesburg that references colonial times. It was built in 1894 and it started life as a factory for the production of ‘Three Castles’ cigarettes with the facade becoming a powerful marketing tool for the international brand. Initially 100 female workers were employed to roll the cigarettes but by the late 1890s this role was taken over by machines. For decades the structure has been in a pitiful state and appears on South Africa’s ‘In Danger’ list.  The building was destroyed by a fire, vandalism, the elements and time itself and only the fascade of the building is still remaining. 


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