New solo Maja Maljević exhibition a David Krut
David Krut Projects is pleased to announce a new solo exhibition by Maja Maljević titled Showtime. The exhibition comprises of paintings and unique works on paper created in collaboration with the David Krut Workshop.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is Maljević’s new series of works on paper, titled Behind the Scenes, which brings her vibrant imagination to life. In these works, Maljević creates playful, abstract characters and arranges them as if performing on a two-dimensional stage. The process begins with the artist setting the scene using bold monotype brushstrokes or drypoint-engraved curtains, establishing a frame in which her ‘characters’ can interact. What makes these works particularly exciting is the application of a variety of printmaking techniques facilitated by collaborators Kim-Lee Loggenberg-Tim and Roxy Kaczmarek, alongside hand-cut shapes for collage and additional handwork by the artist, all coming together to weave a rich tapestry of creativity.
The imagery in these works visualises Maljević’s imagination at play, featuring anthropomorphic characters and whimsical still lifes. The characters appear as part of staged scenes, unfolding like a movie set or a television screen. Maljević describes her approach as deeply rooted in the imaginative spirit of childhood, when the boundaries between reality and imagination are fluid. As a child, you might believe toys are alive, characters are real, and you can intuitively enter and become part of these invented worlds. In this sense, her works explore figurative abstraction in a delightful dance, mixing abstract forms with figurative shapes.
Maljević’s new works challenge the viewer’s imagination with intricate and playful icons that are part of her creative process. After visiting the artist’s Johannesburg studio, her collection of little objects, toys, and visual references began to appear in her work. While Maljević’s creations are not directly linked to any specific stage design tradition, there is a clear resonance with artists like David Hockney, particularly his stage design drawings. The vibrant color palettes in Maljević’s work share a similar energy to Hockney’s, while her incorporation of humor and playfulness further strengthens this connection. Like Hockney, Maljević embraces a theatrical approach to space and form, drawing viewers into a world of visual storytelling where the boundary between reality and imagination blurs.
The artist also draws inspiration from Oskar Schlemmer’s Triadic ‘Bauhaus’ Ballet. This production, known for its choreography rooted in elementary geometry and stereometry, reduced the human figure to geometric shapes. By combining bright colours, asymmetrical characters, and robotic figures, Maljević invites the viewer into a surreal yet familiar realm of associations. These images encourage a deeper appreciation for visual cultural narratives that seek to expand the viewer’s imagination. These images encourage a deeper appreciation for the visual cultural narratives that endeavour to expand the viewers imagination.
In Maljević’s work, visual play transcends simple aesthetics, stimulating the imagination as a space of endless possibilities. Her characters and compositions suggest movement, interaction, and evolution. This important exhibition functions like a theatrical performance on paper, where each scene engages the viewer with unfolding drama, filled with lightness, humour, and perhaps even a touch of nostalgia for childhood worlds of make-believe.
Text by Ame Bell
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