Visual artist Karabo Banna Maine continues to build a distinctive artistic journey with his latest exhibition, Holding Shapes, currently on display at the Alliance Française. Opened to the public on July 9, the exhibition will run until July 30, offering visitors an opportunity to experience a thoughtful collection of collage works that examine healing, transformation and personal identity through abstraction. Rather than viewing each exhibition as an isolated project, Maine approaches his creative practice as a continuous conversation where every piece of work grows from previous experiences. His artistic philosophy embraces both success and failure as valuable contributors to future creativity. This approach gives Holding Shapes a deeper meaning, presenting it as another chapter in an evolving narrative rather than a standalone collection.
Maine’s perspective on artistic growth reflects a commitment to continuous learning and self-exploration. Instead of abandoning previous ideas in pursuit of something entirely new, he carries lessons from earlier works into each new project. Every exhibition becomes an opportunity to revisit old questions while discovering fresh interpretations and visual possibilities. This ongoing process allows his work to evolve naturally as his personal experiences and understanding of the world change over time. By treating creativity as an unfolding journey, Maine invites audiences to appreciate not only the finished artworks but also the evolution of the ideas behind them.
Holding Shapes showcases a new body of collage works that rely on abstraction to communicate deeply personal themes. Rather than presenting direct representations of people or events, the artworks encourage viewers to interpret shapes, textures and compositions in their own way. The use of collage introduces layers of material that mirror the complexity of human emotions and personal growth. Through carefully assembled fragments, Maine creates visual narratives that reflect the realities of healing, resilience and self-discovery. Each piece encourages quiet reflection while leaving room for individual interpretation, allowing every visitor to connect with the work differently.
The exhibition’s title, Holding Shapes, carries multiple layers of meaning that extend beyond its visual appeal. It deliberately references the phrase “holding space,” which describes the act of supporting another person through compassionate presence without judgment or expectation. Maine transforms this familiar expression into a visual concept by replacing “space” with “shapes,” creating a connection between emotional support and artistic form. This subtle change highlights how abstract visual elements can communicate feelings that are often difficult to express through words alone. The title also encourages visitors to think about how emotional experiences can take on symbolic shapes within memory and personal reflection.
At the heart of the exhibition lies the tension between holding on and letting go. This emotional balance forms one of the central themes running through the collection of collage works. Human experiences often involve preserving important memories while simultaneously accepting the need for change and personal growth. Maine explores this delicate process by presenting abstract forms that appear both connected and fragmented, suggesting that healing rarely follows a simple or predictable path. The artworks acknowledge that transformation often requires people to release parts of themselves while embracing new possibilities and perspectives.
Healing is presented throughout Holding Shapes as an ongoing process rather than a final destination. Instead of portraying recovery as something complete and permanent, the exhibition recognizes that personal growth unfolds gradually through moments of reflection, acceptance and resilience. Maine’s abstract compositions avoid offering fixed answers, choosing instead to create spaces where viewers can consider their own emotional journeys. This openness allows the artworks to resonate with individuals from different backgrounds and life experiences. The exhibition demonstrates that healing is deeply personal and can take many different forms depending on each person’s circumstances.
Identity also plays a significant role within the exhibition’s broader narrative. Through abstraction and collage, Maine explores how identity is shaped by experiences, relationships and continuous personal development. The layered compositions suggest that identity is never fixed but is constantly reconstructed through memories, emotions and changing perspectives. Just as individual collage pieces come together to create a unified artwork, personal identity is built from countless experiences that influence how people understand themselves. This concept encourages visitors to view identity as something fluid rather than permanent, reflecting the reality of ongoing personal transformation.
The Alliance Française provides an appropriate setting for an exhibition that encourages thoughtful engagement and creative interpretation. As a cultural space that regularly supports visual arts and creative dialogue, the venue offers visitors an environment where contemporary artistic ideas can be explored without limitation. The exhibition contributes to the broader cultural landscape by presenting work that combines personal storytelling with universal emotional themes. Visitors are invited to spend time with each piece, allowing the abstract imagery to reveal different meanings through careful observation. Such exhibitions strengthen the role of art as a catalyst for reflection, conversation and emotional understanding.
Holding Shapes also demonstrates the growing recognition of collage as a powerful contemporary art form. While collage has long been associated with experimentation and mixed media, artists like Karabo Banna Maine continue to expand its possibilities through innovative compositions and conceptual depth. By combining fragments into unified visual statements, collage reflects the complexity of human experience in ways that traditional forms sometimes cannot. The exhibition illustrates how contemporary African artists continue to push creative boundaries while addressing themes that resonate across cultures and generations. This balance between personal expression and universal relevance gives the exhibition lasting significance.
As Holding Shapes continues its public run until July 30, it stands as an important milestone in Karabo Banna Maine’s evolving artistic journey. The exhibition captures his belief that every creative project builds upon those that came before it, creating an ongoing dialogue between past experiences and future possibilities. Through abstract collage, he explores healing, transformation and identity with honesty, sensitivity and imagination, encouraging audiences to reflect on their own experiences of change. By transforming the idea of “holding space” into the visual language of “holding shapes,” Maine offers a thoughtful meditation on what it means to let go, move forward and continually redefine oneself. The exhibition ultimately reminds visitors that growth is never a single moment but a lifelong process shaped by every experience along the way.
