Artwork by multimedia artist Marlise Keith.
Image: Supplied
Cape Town's HUB Gallery is set to unveil its esteemed 2026 programme with the upcoming exhibition 'Murmuration', a mini retrospective spanning two decades of work by renowned multimedia artist Marlise Keith. Running from 16 February to 17 April 2026, this exhibition promises a unique opportunity for art lovers and collectors to dive into the intricate tapestry of Keith’s vivid imagination.
Keith, an award-winning artist with a Master’s degree in Fine Art, has nearly three decades of rich artistic experience under her belt. Her work has captivated audiences both locally and internationally, garnering accolades such as the Sanlam Vuleka Art Award and a prestigious Top 10 placement in the Absa L'Atelier. Keith’s art, which she describes as an amalgamation of her ‘mental soup’ - a blend of memories, pets, migraines, news headlines, roadside memorials, colonial residues, dreams, and everyday curiosity.
'Murmuration' is a fitting title for this exhibition, reflecting the coordinated movements of starlings in flight—a metaphor Keith uses to illustrate how her artworks communicate with one another across time. “I imagined all my works communicating with each other (with no degradation) and what that would sound like,” Keith said. The exhibition will highlight both her early assemblages and sculptures, along with new works that expand her artistic boundaries.
This retrospective includes significant pieces sourced from the Spier Arts Trust (SAT), showcasing foundational works that have cemented Keith's reputation within the South African art scene. Chief Curator Tamlin Blake notes, “Spier Arts Trust has had the privilege of acquiring Marlise Keith’s work for more than two decades... her work remains singular, not only for the strength and consistency of her practice, but for the depth of her engagement with our artistic community.”
Keith is not just an artist but a mentor and collaborator. Her longstanding association with HUB studios, her teaching tenure at the Spier Arts Academy, and her enthusiastic involvement in the Creative Block programme underscore her commitment to nurturing emerging artists. Her participation in notable exhibitions, including the Nando's "Feast Your Eyes" pop-up in Soho and its presence at the 1-54 African Art Fair in London, showcases her international appeal and artistic versatility.
The showcase spans two decades of work.
Image: Supplied
The exhibition will also feature Keith’s latest venture into painting on irregularly-shaped canvases, which aims to explore unfamiliar compositional challenges. These innovative works venture into uncharted territory, promising an exciting evolution in her visual language that demands fresh engagement and interpretation.
Through 'Murmuration', audiences will be invited to explore Keith’s layered, often darkly humorous world, where tenderness coexists with discomfort. This exhibition promises a distilled experience of her journey, making it an essential visit for anyone interested in South African art and the unique voices that define it.
Catch this exhibition at HUB Gallery, located at Union House, 25 Commercial Street, Cape Town.