The Marlise Keith solo exhibition at Daor Contemporary is titled my fok marlise Debris of a Narrative, and opens on Wednesday 26 February at 18h00. Discover what this quirky artist has conjured up for this show!
Marlise Keith is best known for her quirky, rich mixed-media collages, small scale sculptures (preferably referenced as 3D collages), large-scale drawings, micro-mosaics and mosaic sculpture, which draw on a vast collection of subject matter.
Inspired by life around her, dreams, disturbing news headlines, friends, memories, her persistent and sometimes debilitating migraines, mundanity, psychopathology, Pinterest, unarticulated thoughts and ponderings. Keith, rather than attempting to make sense of the world around her, documents its complexities and non-sense in a way that makes one feel uncomfortable, but puts a smile on one’s face.
Keith’s choices of media is a juxtaposition of carefully considered found objects and materials. They are layered, poked, sewn, scratched, drawn on, washed over, sanded, folded and reworked with fascinating ‘characters/ creatures’ and thoughts emerging as a result. Her work is playful, vibrant and fun but with a fascinating (and sometimes) disturbing twist, drawing the viewer in for closer inspection. Dark and witty at the same time.
Marlise Keith – Artist Statement
“I dream vividly and sleepily scribble phrases down upon waking. I dreamt that I was talking to a photographer, explaining to him that his photographs were the “Debris of his narrative”. Kurt Vonnegut said “Practice any art … no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow.” I often feel myself barred from knowing things – all of it. I get very frustrated when looking at kill holes in funerary pots, Outsider art – any art for that matter. Research and artists’ statements are not enough. The work is seeped with memory, family lore, life histories and experiences. I think we witness the growing of souls when we view art. We ‘become’ as much as we witness a recording of ‘becoming’.
I am tongue-tied when people ask me what my work is about. How do I explain this “Vonnegut-becoming”, the almost automatic process of making, often a mild surprise to me when it is done? I cannot vouch for 100% of the process and imagery. Turns out, my work is too, the debris of a narrative.”
WHERE: Daor Contemporary, Coode Crescent, Port of Cape Town, Cape Town, 8001
WHEN: Opening 6:00pm Wednesday 26 February, to 27 March 2020. Gallery hours Tues – Fri 09hoo to 17h00; sat 10h00 to 14h00
INFO: T +27 71 624 7130 or +27 71 624 6985 | E info@daor.co.za | visit
