Independent

Diva’s Boudoir

Diva’s Boudoir (October 2021) was an underground installation of paintings, ceramics and found materials by artist Alberto Maggini. Set within a flamboyant dressing room, the show was a stage for liberating transformation: a raucous exploration of queer ecologies, mythologies and native identities.

The work had previously been exhibited in University Arts London’s Graduate Showcase but releasing it ‘into the wild’ allowed greater scope for experimenting with exhibition design. The floor was carpeted in a womb-like powder pink fabric, a vintage dressing table was set with animalistic accoutrements and mood lighting imposed a debauched atmosphere.

Discussions with Alberto led to new interpretations of the works. A studio visit revealed that Alberto draws on his background as a biologist and botanist by painting from a ‘bird’s-eye-view’ on his studio floor. He repeatedly folds and unfolds painted fabric, mimicking the asexual reproduction of amoeba, thus creating amphibious forms whose patterns and colours know no gender. This discovery resulted in works like Morpho II becoming central aspects of the show’s narrative.

Curated in collaboration with Maria Figueroa Andrade, Dominique Nok and Katherine Borchensius. Thank you to Deptford Does Art.