No Turning Back IV

Medium: Monotype
Paper size: 76 x 56 cm
Edition size: 1/1

Maria Marais is an artist who lives and works in Mbombela, Mpumalanga. Born in Eswatini to Portuguese parents, her family relocated to the Lowveld in 1965. 

Reflections on Journey, Place, and Belonging

"Highways have become a powerful metaphor for my life. Whenever I travel, I am aware of the duality of the road—how it can mean both departure and arrival, leaving home or returning to it. The physical path I traverse is still unchanged, the same stretch of tarmac winding through familiar or unfamiliar landscapes, with the feeling within me shifting dramatically, depending on my direction. The emotions of anticipation and nostalgia mingle, painting my travels with significance beyond the journey itself.

If I am leaving home, the highway stretches ahead, full of promise and possibility. The passing scenery, the changing light, the rhythm of wheels on the road, all these become part of my anticipation. The landscapes I see are imbued with mystery, hinting at experiences yet to unfold, and in these moments, the road embodies hope, courage, and curiosity.

Conversely, when I am returning home, the same road takes on a contrasting character. The road becomes a thread weaving together my past and present, a symbol of continuity and security.

I have always felt drawn to landscapes; they inspire me and ground me. Yet, when it comes to art, I find myself preferring landscapes that feature a road or a path. Something is compelling about an image that suggests movement, direction, and invitation. The inclusion of a road transforms a static scene into a narrative, capturing the tension between departure and arrival, between exploration and the comfort of returning home.

Ultimately, the road is both a literal and figurative journey mirroring the transitions and milestones of life, reminding me that every departure is also a step towards belonging, and every arrival is tinged with the memory of travel. Whether I am seeking the excitement of the new or the reassurance of the familiar, the road stays constant, shifting only in the emotions it evokes. Through this metaphor, I understand that life is not just about the places I visit, but about the journey between them, and the feelings that accompany each passage." Maria Marais, 2026

Most of Marais's career has been working in architecture, alongside which she has participated in several exhibitions and art-related workshops.