Catch It While You Can

When you step into Neill Wright’s latest exhibition, you’re greeted by an installation that could be accompanied by a Björk tune. Large rain-drops in blue, yellow and pink land on a black river with pink lily pads and multicoloured, large blades of grass. It feels like being in a brightly coloured, sardonic wonder world.

Wright’s captivating Blizzard Head exhibition is explained thus in the press release: “We have eaten our fill of Eden’s apple and, sickened by our own excess, we must begin to navigate this ‘paradise’ of our own making.”

On the walls are works in a variety of shapes (Wright doesn’t care for the standard rectangular shape). On the floor is a half-eaten apple, abandoned as though whoever took bites suddenly couldn’t stomach it anymore — is it a comment about consumerism? Fairy tales? Who cares, it’s gorgeous!

The best works in the exhibition are a series of paintings shaped like beer bottle caps. Reminiscent of those pamphlets promising all manner of prosperity, they are biting bits of commentary on South African middleclass society (and the desire to be middle class).

“Dr Cleva’s No. 1 Blame Shifting Guilt Free Splurge: Helps You Care Less,” reads one. “Make Hay While the Sun Shines With Dr Cleva’s Cavalier Creme: Live the life of Leftist Luxury,” reads another.

It’s political commentary, but beautiful.

Neill Wright’s Blizzard Head is on at Everard Read Johannesburg until August 19.