LIBERTY BATTSON | Song and Dance

Opening reception: 28 February 2026 at 11:00

REQUEST CATALOGUE HERE

We’ve all heard the phrase a “song and dance.” It’s what you hear when you are being distracted from the truth. In this exhibition, I’m leaning into that commotion. Using famous masterpieces as a stage, these works look at the "disorder" of our modern lives—from the loud political drama on the news to the quiet, personal struggles we navigate behind closed doors.

This collection is for anyone who has ever felt a disconnect with the world around them. I’ve taken classic paintings and altered them with a purpose, hiding secret messages in Morse Code and swapping out idyllic scenes for the reality of living in South Africa today.

You’ll notice that where famous artists once painted scenes of peace and plenty, the tables are now bare and the lights are off. In my reinterpretation of a Matisse window scene, the quiet view is replaced by a frantic woman, a broken electric fence, and the absurdity of a celebrity playing chess. It is a scene that doesn't quite make sense—a direct reflection of the "madness" we navigate daily.

These empty spaces and chaotic rooms aren't just about what is missing; they are about the resilience required to fill them. There is humour and defiance in the chaos. Whether it’s literally turning "Truth" on its head to find a better vantage point or using South African slang to fend off the unwanted. The work is a reminder of our collective strength. It shows that even when the things are falling apart and the logic is gone, we remain—independent, resourceful, and moving forward with a fierce sense of survival.

I invite you to step into my Song and Dance. Come close, decode the hidden warnings, and see if you can find the real truth buried somewhere under all the commotion. It is a truth that acknowledges the struggle, but ultimately celebrates the light we carry even when the power is out.