No. 20 Arts – Max Maxwell: PROTEAN

8 July - 3 September, 2022

PV: 7 July (RSVP Only)

PROTEAN. A solo exhibition of new works by Max Maxwell. Four years after his last solo show at No 20 Arts, the exhibition presents an exciting continuation of Maxwell’s central interests: materiality, transformation and alchemy.

The title, ‘PROTEAN’ stems from the prophetic shape-shifting figure from Greek mythology Proteus, as it encapsulates the idea of changeable shape and form. Maxwell has long held an interest in transmutation, as explored through his work with metals, predominantly copper.

This exhibition brings together painting, sculpture, video, and performance to explore these ideas. Maxwell works with raw materials such as copper, metal leaf, paint, and various chemicals to create works that explore material change. From a pristine metal sheet, he will create deeply textured landscapes; explorations of colour, space, and place.

This opening evening of the exhibition begins with a Prologue, a dance performance: the figure of a newborn, initially curled into a cocoon and covered in plaster, is drawn from its shelter and breaks free from the shell. Remnants of this plaster will remain in the gallery throughout the duration of the show, a spatial and visual reminder of the performance.