Biography
MJ Turpin was born in Johannesburg, South Africa(1982). He received his BA Fine Art (Honours) from the University of the Witwatersrand and has participated in numerous local exhibitions at spaces such as the Goodman Gallery, Circa, Nirox Gallery, Artspace, Bell Roberts,Johannesburg Art Gallery, Gus Gallery and several international exhibitions in Belgium, France, Australia and Taiwan. Residencies include BiljmAIR(Amsterdam)2012, A 2 week Absolut Residency in Maboneng (2014) a 2 week online Residency with Floating Reverie(2014). MJ Turpin is also one of the directors of Johannesburg based project space and gallery the Kalashnikovv Gallery and was one of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans 2013.His most recent shows being at Gaite Lyrique(Paris – 2013) for South Africa/French Season ,”Working Title” at the Goodman Gallery(2013 – Group show) “I Take it all Back” Nirox project space(2014 – Group show), Gus Gallery Stellenbosch for “Gesture” (2014-Group show). “The Escape from self”(2014) at the Kalashnikovv Gallery(solo) and thus far in 2015 he has shown at the Flits Gallery/ I AM Institute Berlin. Post///Digital///Floating Reverie(Group Show) and “escape from self 2” Kalashnikovv Gallery(solo). Het Kunstenaarsbal – Prints on Paper(Amsterdam) Hazard Gallery “Protest”(Group Show) Fried Contemporary Gallery – “Occupy Room 1”(Group Show) Art Fairs include Turbine and FNB Art Fair 2015
Artist’s Statement
A body of work in process, continuing from “escape from self” 2014 MJ Turpin explores contemporary forms of escapism – such as the Internet, drug addiction and Religion – citing notions of time travel and creating work in a black void. MJ continues his exploration into materiality(literal and metaphorical), the relationship between space, cyberspace and the invisible spaces in between. All of which are metaphors for purposefully avoiding the staple reflections(race,gender,sexual orientation,class etc) and theoretical norms within artistic practice in South Africa at this point in time BUT which has ironically to some degree created a deep flux in his own perception of self and by extension Identity.