Debris of a narrative
Daor Contemporary is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Marlise Keith
26.02.2020 – 27.03.2020
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.
Marlise Keith, Yoke, Mixed Media, 2019, 44 x 33 x 6cm
Marlise Keith, X-pire, Mixed Media, 2018-20, 7 x 38.5 x 7cm
Marlise Keith, Where have all my heroes gone?, Mixed Media on 300gsm paper, 2019, Unframed 136 x 94.5cm
Marlise Keith, Where are the clowns?, Mixed Media on 300gsm paper, 2019, Unframed 138 x 97cm
Marlise Keith, Uit, Canvas, Acrylic Ink and Pins, 2017, 37 x 24 x 4cm
Marlise Keith, Ugly and Weird, Mixed Media, 2019-20, 10 x 34 x 18cm
Marlise Keith, Talisman for my Beloved, Mixed Media, 2018-20, 26 x 62 x 22cm
Marlise Keith, Tears, Mixed Media, 2019-20, 22 x 24.5 x 23cm
Marlise Keith, The monster remains, Mixed Media on MDF, 2018, 41.5 x 30cm
Marlise Keith, The Undertow, Mixed Media, 2019-20, 15 x 30 x 19cm
Marlise Keith, To Pasture, Mixed Media, 2019-20, 21 x 29 x 15cm
Marlise Keith, Trojan Fetish, Mixed Media, 2019, 17 x 29 x 15cm
Marlise Keith, Surrender, Mixed Media, 2019, 12 x 27 x 13cm
Marlise Keith, Stumble-maid, In collaboration with Sandile Dlamini 2018 gradaute of the Spier Arts Academy, Micro-Mosaic, hand-cut stone, smalti and kerabond on MDF, 2018-19, 14cm in diameter
Marlise Keith, Stands – Medium and Low underlit rectangle, Trim, MDF, Pine Legs, Gesso, Acrylic paint and varnish, 2019, 95 x 29.5 x 21cm (Medium) 95 x 29.5 x 9.5cm (Low)
Marlise Keith, Stands – Medium and Low Boxes, MDF, Pine Legs, Gesso, Acrylic paint and varnish, 2019, Varied sizes
Marlise Keith, Stand- Wall Shelf, 2020, Varied Sizes
Marlise Keith, Stand Alone, Mixed Media, 2019-20, 24 x 15 x 4.5cm
Marlise Keith, Stand – Medium Oval Five Legs, MDF, Pine Legs, Gesso, Acrylic paint and varnish, 2018-19, 50 x 30.5 x 47.5cm
Marlise Keith, Stand – Tall Rectangle with box & Fringe, Gesso, Aero Colour Ink, Acrylic paint, Polychromous pencil, micron pens, trim and plywood, 2020, 100 x 30 x 120cm
Marlise Keith, Stand – Tall Oval Three legs, Trim, MDF, Pine Legs, Gesso, Acrylic paint and varnish, 2018-19, 50 x 30.5 x 78cm
Marlise Keith, Stand – Wall Shelf ,2020 , Varied sizes
Marlise Keith, Stand – Wall Shelf, 2020, Varied Sizes
Marlise Keith, Stand – Medium and Low Boxes, MDF, Pine Legs, Gesso, Acrylic paint and varnish, 2019, Varied sizes
Marlise Keith, Shroud II, Mixed Media on Belgian Linen, 2017-18, Unframed 90 x 90cm
Marlise Keith, Shroud I, Mixed Media on Belgian Linen, 2017-18, Unframed 110 x 110cm
Marlise Keith, Scar Honey, Mixed Media 2017-19, 37 x 52 x 7cm
Marlise Keith, Safe Terror, Mixed Media, 2018-20, 34cm diameter length x 48cm diameter width
Marlise Keith, Pustard Torpor, Mixed Media on 300gsm paper, 2019, Unframed 97 x 138.5cm
Marlise Keith, Mutter Maid, In collaboration with Qaqambile and Sandile Dlamini, Micro-Mosaic Bolo tie and Mixed Media, 2018
Marlise Keith, Mumble-maid, In collaboration with Leonard Peters, 2018 gradaute of the Spier Arts Academy, Micro-Mosaic, hand-cut stone, smalti and kerabond on MDF, 2018- 19, 14cm in diameter
Marlise Keith, Near Enemies, Mixed Media, 2020
Marlise Keith, Nest, Mixed Media, 2018, 140 x 40 x 20cm
Marlise Keith, Oculus Risk, Mixed Media on Canvas, 2019, 30 x 30cm
Marlise Keith, Mr Sandman, Mixed Media, 2018, 13 x 14 x 21cm
Marlise Keith, Morbidly Ordinary, Mixed Media, 2018, 10 x 11 x9cm
Marlise Keith, Lovely Wrench, Mixed Media, 2017-19 37 x 11 x 31cm
Marlise Keith, Los my, Canvas, Acrylic Ink and Pins, 2017, 37 x 24 x 4cm
Marlise Keith, Loose Lips, Mixed Media, 2019-20, 19 x 42 x 16cm
Marlise Keith, In Vain, Mixed Media, 2017-20, 20 x 33 x 10cm
Marlise Keith, Leviathan, Mixed Media, 2017, 17 x 46 x 2cm
Marlise Keith, Lady Crane, Mixed Media, 2019, 14 x 25 x 13cm
Marlise Keith, Little Boy Blue, Mixed Media, 2019-20, 20 x 29 x 12cm
Marlise Keith, III News, Mixed Media, 2018, 25 x 20 x10cm
Marlise Keith, Hus, Mixed Media, 2017-20, 20 x 16 x 5cm
Marlise Keith, Horror Vacui, Mixed Media, 2019, 15 x 34 x 14cm
Marlise Keith, Hocus Pocus, Mixed Media on Belgian Linen, 2019-20, 38 x 36.5cm
Marlise Keith, Her name is Lola, Mixed Media, 2018, 18 x 17 x 11cm
Marlise Keith, Hammer Head, Mixed Media on Canvas, 2019, 30 x 30cm
Marlise Keith, Filler, Mixed Media, 2019-20, 7.5 x 11 x 7.5cm
Marlise Keith, Forbidden, In collaboration with ceramicist Antoinette du Plessis, Earthenware clay with various glazes. Acrylic Ink, Gesso, Polychromous pencils, Pitt-pens and plywood, 2018
Marlise Keith, Forsaken, In collaboration with ceramicist Antoinette du Plessis, Earthenware clay with various glazes. Gesso, Found objects and plywood, 2018
Marlise Keith, Garden of Torture, Mixed Media on 300gsm paper, 2019, Unframed 138 x 97cm
Marlise Keith, Gob Smacked, Belgian Linen and free hand machine stitching, 2017, 24 x 10 x 1cm
Marlise Keith, Flayed, Belgian Linen, orange plastic bag and free hand machine stitching, 2017, 56 x 11 x 1.5cm
Marlise Keith, Fetid, Mixed Media, 2019, 11 x 28.5 x 9.5cm
Marlise Keith, Femme, Mixed Media, 2018, 23 x 30 x 16cm
Marlise Keith, Fate, Mixed Media on Canvas, 2019, 30 x 30cm
Marlise Keith, Exiled, Mixed Media, 2018-19, 30 x 10 x 10cm
Marlise Keith, Evolutional Melancholia, Mixed Media, 2018-19, 40 x 13.5 x 13cm
Marlise Keith, Cut and Run, Mixed Media, 2019, 31 x 27 x 5cm
Marlise Keith, Debris of my narrative, 40 page Artist Book, Mixed Media, 2019, bookshelf 47 x 18 x 17cm
Marlise Keith, Defeated Beauties, Mixed Media on Belgian Linen, 2019-20, 21 x 45cm
Marlise Keith, Desire has grounded you Muppet, Mixed Media, 2018-19, 30 x 18 x 10cm
Marlise Keith, Ensnared -the world is tired, Mixed Media on MDF, 2018, 40 x 30cm
Marlise Keith, Evermore Anxious, Mixed Media, 2018, 22 x 15 x 13cm
Marlise Keith, Combating Compassion Fatigue, Mixed Media, 2018-19, 18.5 x 16cm
Marlise Keith, Cluster Fuck II, Mixed Media on Belgian Linen, 2018, 31 x 18cm
Marlise Keith, Bruiser, Mixed Media, 2017-20, 17 x 18 x 4cm
Marlise Keith, Bound by Gossip, Mixed Media on Belgian Linen, 2019-20, 38 x 45cm
Marlise Keith, Blue Faced, Mixed Media, 2017-19, 35 x 38 x 8cm
Marlise Keith, Blom-vleisies, Mixed Media, 2018, 13.5 x 24.5 x 10cm
Marlise Keith, An Odd Story, Mixed-Media, 2018, 12 x 35 x 11.5cm
Marlise Keith, At you Service, Mixed Media, 2018-19, 45 x 13 x 13cm
Marlise Keith, Balconies for the Forlorn, Mixed Media on Belgian Linen, 2019-20, 80 x 30cm
Marlise Keith, Batten the Hatches, Mixed Media 2017-19, 30 x 33 x 7cm
Marlise Keith, Battering Ram, Mixed Media, 2019, 22 x 18 x 13cm
Marlise Keith, Bellows, Mixed Media, 2018, 54 x 25 x 20cm
Marlise Keith, A Meagre Life, Mixed Media on Belgian Linen 2019-20, 37cm-in-diameter
Marlise Keith, A Gaze, Mixed Media, 2019, 11 x 32 x 12cm
Marlise Keith, A common Catastrophe, Mixed Media on 300gsm paper, 2019, Unframed 138 x 97cm
Marlise Keith, Runt I, In Collaboration with Sandile Mnzimela, Patric Penxa and Sandile Dakoda, graduates of the Spier Arts Academy, Hand cut stone, smalti and Kerabond on MDF, 2018, Framed 70 x 100cm
Marlise Keith, Where’d you go?, Mixed Media, 2018-19, 38 x 15 x 12cm
Marlise Keith, Don’t Fuck Up, Mixed Media, 2018, 21.5 x 15 x 13cm
Marlise Keith, best known for her quirky, rich mixed-media collages, small scale sculpture (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.
“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.”