Marlise Keith talks us through exhibition ‘Murmuration’ at the HUB Gallery – a mini retrospective of her work – on the Arts Round Up on Fine Music Radio.
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Marlise explains the title ‘Murmurations’ which relates to her wondering how her work over the last 20 years would come together – in fact what would it sound like. She thought of how the starlings come together in flocks and share information amongst themselves to keep themselves safe. They formed into groups to share that information. And her putting together of this exhibition was to gather together her works in beautiful groups that made it possible to share her work with the viewer.
‘Mental soup’ is a term that Marlise uses to describe her work. She explains that just as a soup is made up of many ingredients, her multi-media work has lots of ingredients and information. You get information from the world around you and that variation of information and media inspires her work.
Marlise talks about the object and paintings, and some of the challenges she faces. She is trying to answer the question what if? She gets bored very quickly, She used to draw a lot on paper. Then bored with the flat surface, she started folding the paper. Then moved into the three-dimensional work and into sculpture. Again, it is the media chosen for the work that is unusual and extremely tactile. You want to touch the work and know you shouldn’t. Marlise takes that as a complement – it’s part of the experience.
Another part of her experience is her 20 year association with the Spier Arts Trust, which is running HUB Gallery. Marlise has been teaching at the Spier Arts Academy, working closely with the mosaic students. She was moving to work with more texture, and being informed by other world views and experiences. It was a collaboration with so many layers of being!
Using the interior of an old lift, that no longer operates, as an exhibition space, was another delightful and innovative touch in this exhilarating exhibition at the HUB Gallery!
LOTS of good reasons to view and enjoy the ingredients contributing to the delicious and nutricious ‘Murmuration’ – the mini-retrospective by Marlise Keith at the HUB Gallery!
WHAT: ‘Murmuration’ – Marlise Keith
WHERE: HUB Gallery, Union House, 25 Commercial Street, Cape Town 8001
WHEN: Opening 16 February to 17 April 2026
INFO: VISIT | Fb | Instagram: @house_union_block, @marlise.keith @Spierartstrust | see also Marlise Keith – ‘Murmuration’ an uncanny kaleidoscopic 20-year mini retrospective @ HUB Gallery
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