A mysterious island filled with imagined worlds, vibrant artwork and a tropical-inspired atmosphere took shape at Stokvel Gallery in Melville, where Cape Town artist Busta Boltoon brought six artists together for Mysterious Island.

The group exhibition opened to the public on October 17, following a VIP viewing on October 16, and ran until October 18, at 27 Boxes.

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Polynesian inspiration

For Boltoon, the exhibition grew out of a lifelong fascination with Polynesian-inspired art and culture, sparked by stories his grandmother shared about New Zealand’s Māori culture, including tattooing, carving and painting.

“I was so fascinated by it that it has been a big inspiration for me, like, my whole life,” he said.

That fascination inspired him to create an imaginary world of his own, populated by tiki gods, hidden treasures, mythology and tribes waiting to be discovered.

The exhibition invited participating artists to interpret this imagined island through their own creative practices. The collection brought together ceramics, printmaking, oil painting and acrylic painting, featuring work by Boltoon, John Bauer, Mandi Friedman, Kaila Kastis, Luke Batha and Joe Doe.

Boltoon said he wanted to bring together different artistic disciplines while allowing fellow creatives to showcase their work to audiences who might not ordinarily encounter their particular medium.

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“Being an artist, it is pretty difficult to get people to see your work and make a name for yourself,” he said. Having previously exhibited at Stokvel Gallery, Boltoon said he wanted to use the opportunity to help other artists gain exposure and potentially build their own following.

Stepping into another world

The exhibition also challenged the conventional gallery experience. Inspired by American tiki culture and its idea of discovering hidden paradises, Boltoon wanted visitors to feel as though they were stepping into another world.

The opening incorporated tropical-inspired decorations, music, cocktails and a smart Hawaiian dress code, creating a more relaxed and playful atmosphere than a traditional exhibition. “I wanted to create a bit more fun and excitement,” he said.

For Boltoon, art offers an opportunity to step away from Johannesburg’s demanding working life, explore new ideas and reconnect with imagination. He hopes the exhibition will also encourage other artists to put their work before the public rather than being intimidated by the process of organising a show.

“Art comes in many different forms, and it does not have to be so strict and rigid,” he said. “It can be fun and exciting.”

Through Mysterious Island, Boltoon aimed to celebrate local creative talent while reminding visitors that art can be an invitation to explore, imagine and experience something different.

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