23/09/2026
“The Siege and the Sanctuary” explores mental health through two contrasting perspectives: the “siege,” representing the psychological attack on the mind, and the “sanctuary,” representing the disciplined, continuous, subtle efforts towards recovery.
Artist Focus: Alfred Kitsi & Jaden Wells
Alfred Kitsi investigates the “siege” through an art practice grounded in horror and surrealism. By confronting the loss of control across one’s mind, body, or environment, Kitsi delves into the psychological and spiritual dimensions of fear and distortion. His haunting imagery engages directly with the darkness within and around us, transforming discomfort into revelation.
Jaden Wells represents the “sanctuary,” examining how the mind can become a sanctuary through a rigorous process leading toward recovery. To counteract internal chaos, Wells’ practice embodies continued focus, repetition, and endurance.
Working with everyday materials such as aluminium foil, charcoal, ink, and paper, he transforms the mundane through repetitive, labour-intensive methods that emphasise mindfulness and healing.
Together, their work constructs a story of struggle and repair: the mind attacked, then remade.
The exhibition is further deepened by research into Cape history, where fear, surveillance, and notions of “deviance” historically governed how mental instability was treated, particularly within marginalized communities.
The collection serves as a powerful reflection on how pain is seen, how healing begins, and how art can hold both horror and hope at once.
COMING SOON!
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