PRESS RELEASE
WARREN MAROON | THE HANDSHAKE'S NOT WORTH THE GRIP
Mar 11 – Apr 11, 2026
WARREN MAROON
The handshake's not worth the grip
11 March - 11 April 2026
Everard Read Cape Town
3 Portswood Rd, V&A Waterfront
Opening Reception: Wednesday, 11 March at 6pm.
‘The handshake’s not worth the grip’ examines the relationship of power through two ordinary objects: a hammer and a nail. One is a function of intent, the other serves as evidence of that.
Warren Maroon drives us to question what makes a tool such as a hammer successful in its action. A bending, sinking, disappearing effect. Its function depends on repetition, a relentless force striking until resistance gives way. The hammer’s authority is only successful with a yielding nail and that nail is only successful if it co-operates in a straight line. Any deviation such as a bend or a twist or a refusal renders the nail ineffective. It is discarded for one that better follows the rules.
Through this mundane exchange, a quiet system emerges. One object acts; the other receives. The hammer enforces its will through repeated action, through blows so ordinary they become procedural rather than violent.
By isolating these tools from the practical applications, the works on exhibition examine how authority is established and how repetition turns force into structure. The collection of sculptural installations and works on paper reflects on the subtle mechanics of human conditioning and how easily the roles of action and submission become embedded within the routine structures we inhabit.
____________________________________
Warren Maroon (b.1985) is a South African artist based in Cape Town. His upbringing on the Cape Flats in a suburb called Mitchell's Plain exposed him to the harsh realities of gangsterism, drugs, and violence, leading him to turn to art as a form of refuge.
In 2011, Maroon graduated from Ruth Prowse School of Art, but it wasn't until 2018 that he found his artistic voice as a conceptual sculptor. Drawing inspiration from the Arte Povera movement, Maroon creates sculptures using mostly found objects to communicate his lived experience.
Maroon's work is a testament to the power of art as a means of expression and resistance. Through his practice, he challenges dominant narratives and gives voice to those who have been silenced. His work is deeply personal, yet it speaks to universal themes of inequality, marginalization and resistance. Maroon's sculptures are a visual representation of his lived experience, often using the detritus of everyday life to create something beautiful and meaningful. His work invites the viewer to reflect on their own experiences and to consider the societal structures that shape our world. Through his art, Maroon is not only creating beautiful objects but is also contributing to a larger conversation about social justice and equality. His work was acquired by the Iziko South African National Gallery in 2024. In 2026 he was awarded the Investec Emerging Artist prize.
Warren Maroon drives us to question what makes a tool such as a hammer successful in its action. A bending, sinking, disappearing effect. Its function depends on repetition, a relentless force striking until resistance gives way. The hammer’s authority is only successful with a yielding nail and that nail is only successful if it co-operates in a straight line. Any deviation such as a bend or a twist or a refusal renders the nail ineffective. It is discarded for one that better follows the rules.
Through this mundane exchange, a quiet system emerges. One object acts; the other receives. The hammer enforces its will through repeated action, through blows so ordinary they become procedural rather than violent.
By isolating these tools from the practical applications, the works on exhibition examine how authority is established and how repetition turns force into structure. The collection of sculptural installations and works on paper reflects on the subtle mechanics of human conditioning and how easily the roles of action and submission become embedded within the routine structures we inhabit.
____________________________________
Warren Maroon (b.1985) is a South African artist based in Cape Town. His upbringing on the Cape Flats in a suburb called Mitchell's Plain exposed him to the harsh realities of gangsterism, drugs, and violence, leading him to turn to art as a form of refuge.
In 2011, Maroon graduated from Ruth Prowse School of Art, but it wasn't until 2018 that he found his artistic voice as a conceptual sculptor. Drawing inspiration from the Arte Povera movement, Maroon creates sculptures using mostly found objects to communicate his lived experience.
Maroon's work is a testament to the power of art as a means of expression and resistance. Through his practice, he challenges dominant narratives and gives voice to those who have been silenced. His work is deeply personal, yet it speaks to universal themes of inequality, marginalization and resistance. Maroon's sculptures are a visual representation of his lived experience, often using the detritus of everyday life to create something beautiful and meaningful. His work invites the viewer to reflect on their own experiences and to consider the societal structures that shape our world. Through his art, Maroon is not only creating beautiful objects but is also contributing to a larger conversation about social justice and equality. His work was acquired by the Iziko South African National Gallery in 2024. In 2026 he was awarded the Investec Emerging Artist prize.
EVERARD READ CAPE TOWN - 3 Portswood Road, V&A Waterfront
Cape Town, 8002
South Africa
+27 21 418 4527 | ctgallery@everard.co.za
Operating hours:
Monday - Friday 9:00 - 17:00
Saturday - 9:00 - 13:00
If you are looking to add to your collection and you are unable to make it to our gallery during operating hours, please contact us via ctgallery@everard.co.za to make an appointment outside of these hours.
