Justine Mahoney at Southern Guild

WORDS Michaela Stehr

Sculptor Justine Mahoney’s Tainted exhibition opens on 14 October 2016 at Southern Guild Gallery in Cape Town’s Woodstock.

The exhibition consists of a series of 10 bronze sculptures, each with a corresponding collage.

Focusing on the unsettling idea of schizophrenia and inner demons, her work in Tainted studies the contrast between the facades of humans, the happier and light side, with a dark uneasiness beneath the surface. “The experience of growing up in South Africa during the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s was extremely schizophrenic and it is from this period that I gather elements of inspiration,” she explains. “I have a large collection of imagery from those decades which mimic my memories, and which I turn into portraits that reflect this multifariousness. From these hack-and-bash collages, seemingly teenage in nature, I use clay to re-form the past and recall fears, dreams, nightmares and aspirations.”

Justine also explores themes such as imagination, fantasy and child-like wonder, translated from her previous exhibition Innocence through to this new instalment.

“As Justine’s confidence as an artist grows, her subject matter becomes more enticing and thought-provoking, reflecting South African culture in a dark mirror,” explains Southern Guild co-director Julian McGowan. “This exhibition takes you to a familiar but unsettling place – it is Malice in Wonderland.”

Tainted will run from 14 October to 18 November 2016 at the Southern Guild Gallery in Cape Town. The gallery is located at 10 Lewin Street, Woodstock and is open Monday to Friday from 10am – 5pm.