Artists We Love: Justine Mahoney

WORDS Amelia Brown IMAGES Courtesy of Southern Guild

It’s been a year since Justine Mahoney’s solo show, Tainted, was exhibited in Johannesburg, so VISI caught up with the thought-provoking sculptor, known for powerfully capturing a darker element behind a playful façade, to find out how she developed her iconic style, who she’s following on Instagram, and what she’s working on now.

Justine Mahoney shot for Southern Guild by Mark Cameron.

How did you develop your style?

I wouldn’t say that I have a style. My process deals with forming digital collages from my library of imagery. I use intuition to bring images together – they speak to me to tell me what they need. From here, I go directly to clay to build using the collages as source material. Then my pieces are cast in bronze.

How much has the South African context influenced your work?  

My work is fundamentally based on the experience of growing up in this country.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? 

I couldn’t imagine living anywhere other than SA.

What are you working on at the moment?

I’m working on a schoolgirl with super powers.

What, or who, inspires you? 

At the moment, teenagers.

Describe where you create your pieces? 

My studio is the storage space for ideas that are coming into being. I keep all my collections here, from obscure Japanese superheroes to comic books and plastic toys.

What time of day do you prefer to work? 

Mornings and night time.

If you could collaborate with a South African artist who would it be?

Yolandi Visser would be cool, but more truthfully, Wim Botha.

What are you reading at the moment? 

I’m listening to the audiobook of Necronomicon: The Best Weird Tales of H.P. Lovecraft.

If you weren’t an artist, what would you be? 

A witch or an astronaut.

Do you have a career highlight?

Working with Southern Guild.

Where was the last place you travelled and what did you buy? 

I travelled to New York City. I didn’t need to buy much; I just experienced it. I did find a brilliant sculpture tool store recommended by [artist] Conrad Botes.

What is your favourite room in your home?

I love my entire home.

What is the last piece of design or art you purchased? 

The comic Hellboy by Mike Mignola.

Are you a summer or winter person? 

Both.

Are you on Instagram? If yes, who should we all be following?

Yes (@justine.mahoney). Follow @playforever.

What’s next for you?

I’m busy working on my next show with Southern Guild.

Check out Justine’s recently relaunched site, designed by Jana + Koos, and stay up to date with Southern Guild on Instagram for news of Justine’s exhibition in early 2019.