Ernest Ullmann’s artistic legacy continues
Statues created by famous artist Ernest Ullmann can still be viewed today on what was once his sprawling property in Morningside.
Ullmann and his wife Jo lived on a property called Fairlea Farm along what is known today as the Sandspruit River. When he built the farm in 1940, it was located far away from the city, however, today if falls within the heart of Sandton.
Born in 1900 in Munich, Ullmann’s artistic talents were evident at a young age. After the end of the First World War, Ullmann began his career as an artist and designer in Berlin and was celebrated during this period. However, as a Jewish man, Ullmann’s freedom was increasing restricted as Nazism grew around Germany.
He reluctantly decided to settle in Johannesburg and was taken aback by how empty the area was. Although he initially found Johannesburg to be ugly, he grew to love it and began a series of paintings about Johannesburg.
While in South Africa, Ullmann worked on numerous projects including a new magazine called The Forum, as well as illustrations and tapestries. The Ullmanns were nature lovers and enjoyed spending their time exploring the countryside by horse or car. According to an article by Dereck Jooste on the Heritage Portal, Ullmann made notes about his time on the farm.
“It was considered an adventurous move into the veld, miles away from the city. Barely three decades later, the city had caught up with us. Our little piece of land became a green, beautiful, anachronistic oasis surrounded by a desert of badly planned houses.”
As a bustling city began to grow around them, Ullmann became increasingly frustrated with the development around him. “It is hard to be in love with nature and witness its gradual disappearance. It is a tragic bargain – a conspiracy of ugliness, … a brutal assault on our senses,” he said.
In 1979, after Ullmann’s passing, the city acquired the land and set up a recreation centre. The works of Ernest Ullmann are still on display today in what was once his large, beautiful garden.
