Theresa-Anne Mackintosh’s solo exhibition, "Now is not Forever," recently debuted at the Wits Art Museum (WAM), featuring a provocative blend of older paintings and new sculptures. The show centers on anthropomorphic figures and the erasure of senses, notably in the "hear no evil, see no evil, do no evil" series, where body parts are painted over to symbolize the avoidance of moral decay. These works, alongside vivid sculptures representing the artist's alter egos, challenge viewers to look past aesthetic surfaces to confront the inherent chaos and dysfunction of contemporary society.
This exhibition is significant for its exploration of the duality between artistic beauty and the harsh disorder of reality. By utilizing recognizable forms like dogs and dolls to represent complex psychological states, Mackintosh forces a confrontation with social history and personal morality. The show highlights WAM’s role in fostering critical contemporary dialogue within the South African art scene, pushing audiences to engage with art as a mirror for the uncomfortable complexities of the human condition.