In her second solo exhibition of 2025, Johannesburg-based artist Lorraine Marcus boldly returns with Square Pegs in Round Holes — a visual exploration of identity, diversity, and resistance to societal conformity. The title itself speaks to Marcus’s lifelong artistic mission: celebrating those who do not, and should not, fit neatly into preordained boxes.
Hosted at the Rabbi Cyril Harris Community Centre (RCHCC) in Oaklands, Johannesburg, the exhibition is rich in emotional texture and social commentary. Though the venue imposed a restriction on nudity in the work, Marcus rises to the challenge with subtle but striking symbolism and storytelling.
A Family Affair
This year, Marcus invited her youngest son, Asher Marcus, to deliver the opening remarks. Asher, an artist in his own right through his architectural practice Hubo, brought a deeply personal perspective to his mother’s work.
“My mother is an incredible talent. She has the unbelievable skill to tell layered stories, with twists impossible to predict, in oil on canvas.”
he said
His words echoed the sentiments of Ricky Burnett, the legendary South African artist who spoke at her previous exhibition. Burnett compared her authenticity to that of William Kentridge, noting that Marcus has always “staunchly defended the right to be Lorraine.”
The Art of Subversion
True to form, Marcus uses her canvas to subvert societal expectations. One of the most talked-about pieces is Boys Wear Pink, a witty and poignant takedown of gendered colour norms. Inspired in part by her experience as the mother of a queer son, the painting radiates a message of inclusion and acceptance.
This theme continues in Flower Boy, where the floral motif becomes more than a visual accessory — it is embedded in the very skin of the subject, symbolizing the beauty and complexity of queerness as intrinsic, not ornamental.
Other standout works include:
- Stop Woman Abuse – An intense, expressive piece with visceral brushwork that captures the raw pain and power of protest.
- Two Figures in Rehab – A more subdued yet haunting composition that invites contemplation on healing, addiction, and recovery.
- A series of unnamed portraits, each imagined as a silent interviewee, asserting that listening to marginalized voices is key to collective healing.
Art as Resistance
Square Pegs in Round Holes is more than an exhibition — it’s a quiet rebellion, a celebration of those who exist outside of societal norms. It urges viewers to embrace discomfort, resist conformity, and find beauty in complexity. Every canvas is an invitation to rethink identity not as something fixed, but as fluid and deeply human.
This powerful body of work is available to view by appointment only. To experience the exhibition firsthand, contact Lorraine Marcus at +27 83 469 2562.
