Nandipha Mntambo, renowned sculptor and artist, is back at Everard Read for her solo show, Chimera. 

Chimera is a term used to denote creatures made-up of various animals in mythology. The most recent paintings by Mntambo are based on the Greek Chimera, a fire-breathing creature with a lion's body, a snake's tail and a goat's head.

The Greek Chimera was the progeny of the poisonous and maternal goddess Echidna, who was described as "the mother of monsters" and was half-snake, half-woman. 

This is a continuation of Mntambo's earlier body of work, the snake you left inside of me, inspired by Echidna. It also bridges the artist's continuous exploration of binary oppositions while making references to opposite forces in nature, such as good and bad, light and darkness. This piece alludes to hidden aspirations, dreams, and worries that might never be realised, matching the Chimera's status as a mental construct or delusion.