Bringing Back Traditions Through Fire: The Art of Mandy Johnston
If you’ve recently visited your local supermarket and noticed the shelves bare of steel wool, there’s a fascinating story behind it. South African artist Mandy Johnston has bought every roll in a passionate pursuit of artistry and tradition.
Johnston’s latest exhibition, titled Gatherer, is currently on display at the Berman Contemporary All Women Art Gallery in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. The exhibition delves into the relationship between strength and fragility, embodied in the material she has chosen: steel wool. “Steel wool, for me, serves as a commentary on the man-made constructs that appear strong yet are inherently fragile,” Johnston explained just days before the exhibition’s grand opening on May 28.
The Art of Destruction
During the exhibition’s opening, spectators were treated to a breathtaking performance where selected wireframe sculptures of human forms, including dog sculptures, were set ablaze. As the steel wool ignited, it erupted into brilliant orange sparks, creating a stunning visual display before collapsing into heaps of ash. This unique aspect of her exhibition challenges traditional notions of permanence in art; rather than recreating the sculptures for future sessions, Johnston has firmly stated, “No, I won’t be reburning them.” Instead, the remnants become part of the narrative, as art buyers purchase the burnt frames, embodying a moment frozen in time.
From Ashes to Art
Johnston’s artistic journey has been a captivating one; her work first caught my eye at this year’s Cape Town Art Fair, where I likened her striking burnt wood sculpture to an “anorexic Jackson Hlongwane sculpture.” Since then, I have been an avid admirer of her work. Art enthusiasts who have attended AfrikaBurn may also recognize her contribution to the Burning Man Sculpture, further solidifying her place in the contemporary art scene.
In addition to the wireframe sculptures, the exhibition features a series of visually arresting black landscape paintings. However, these are not paintings in the conventional sense; rather, they are crafted from the very ash produced during the sculptures’ combustion. Titled Earth Meets Ash, these artworks present a smoky, mineral-rich texture that hovers between landscape and memory. They evoke imagery of scarred fields observed from above or weather patterns looming over depleted terrain.
A Collaborative Creation
The Gatherer exhibition has been unfolding since May 9, with Johnston spending three weeks inside the gallery to create her pieces in situ. During this time, she welcomed strangers, friends, and curious tourists to witness her artistic process. As she stitched steel wool onto the wire dog sculptures and spread ash across canvases, onlookers were captivated by the transformation taking place before them. Local cleaning staff humorously dubbed the gallery “la ndawo ineziporho ngaphakathi!” (the place with ghosts inside), referencing the ethereal quality of the wireframe sculptures.
A Johannesburg Soul
There’s something inherently Johannesburg about Johnston’s work, a reflection of her roots in the city. Born and raised in Johannesburg, she honed her artistic skills studying Fine Art at Wits University under notable figures such as Walter Oltmann and Karel Neef. Her background informs her unique perspective, blending personal history with broader artistic themes.
Conclusion
As the exhibition continues to draw visitors, one can’t help but feel a sense of envy for the collectors fortunate enough to acquire her artworks. Each piece not only serves as a testament to skill and creativity but also acts as a vessel carrying the weight of tradition, memory, and the transient nature of existence. Through fire and ash, Mandy Johnston invites us to reconsider our relationship with art and the stories it tells.