For her second solo exhibition of 2025, Lorraine Marcus returned to fundamental elements, not through her art, which remains complex in its messaging, but in her choice of speaker: her youngest son, Asher Marcus. An architect who also embraces art in his work, Asher expressed profound admiration for his mother as both an artist and individual.
“My mother is an incredible talent… She has the unbelievable skill to tell layered stories, with twists impossible to predict, in oil on canvas.”
Lorraine’s exhibition at the Rabbi Cyril Harris Community Centre defies norms despite restrictions, notably in her piece Boys Wear Pink, which challenges traditional gender color norms. Lorraine’s commitment to celebrating diversity is driven by her personal experiences as the mother of a queer son.
Her work Flower Boy further explores this theme; the boy isn’t merely wearing flowers but embodies them within his skin, signifying the integration of identity and nature.
The exhibition features an array of works, from Stop Woman Abuse, which utilizes vivid brush strokes, to the nuanced Two Figures in Rehab. Portraits like these convey distinct narratives, overcoming silence through the power of art. Lorraine’s collection is a bold testament to the necessity of being a ‘square peg’ in society.
The exhibition is open by appointment at the Cyril Harris Community Centre in Oaklands, Johannesburg. To view the artworks, please contact Lorraine Marcus at +27 83 469 2562.