While working with Robyn Orlin in Europe I became curious about Joburg. I wanted to visit and see for myself. So here I am, witnessing how complex and diverse this city is, and struggling daily to find a sense of why and where I am.

When I arrived the Jacarandas were blooming, covering the city with their purple flowers and special smell. This inspired my first project, with my friend Toni Morkel - The Voodoo Divas. We performed in Kliptown Soweto and at the Afronova Gallery as part of the IFAS Play Time Festival.

Everywhere we found new disciples for the "Purple Cult" I continued with my project African Safari by meeting the nice purple hair ladies at the Mall or the lovely Miss Simply Blue from Hillbrow.

The spirituality, the memories and the history that charge so many places in Johannesburg have found their way into my work. I also presented African Safari at the Bag Factory, and my work about Haiti - "a ghost bridge between Port-au-Prince and Johannesburg" at the Drill Hall. This exhibition reveals how similar these 2 cities can be visually and how they have enriched my occidental vision.

www.fredkoenig.com