The Coven : A Descent into Dark Magic and Witchcraft

Spotlight about The Coven exhibition at Metamorphika

On November 7, 2024, Metamorphika, an independent arts space in Hackney ( founded by artists Simon Ballester and Kieron Coffey) opened The Coven, an exhibition that buries its viewers in a world of witchcraft, dark magic, and defiance; curated by Maria Abramenko.

Coven brings together the intense, unsettling works of Joseph Haxan and Runegraf, creating an atmosphere where art becomes a conduit for ancient powers and the haunting legacies of persecution.

The evening began with a mesmerising performance by musician Artemisia Nathair, who played a haunting melody on her harp as Joseph Haxan’s short film The Black Rite was projected behind her. The film presents not just one figure, but multiple versions of Haxan, moving like shadows through a dark, fire-lit forest. The figures, spectral and multiplied, evoke an unsettling sense of both isolation and collective power, as though bound by an invisible force. Nathair’s harp playing deepened this atmosphere, conjuring an otherworldly soundscape that invoked the spirits of the past, especially those lost to witch hunts and burnings.

Haxan’s installation continued with a series of striking red-toned prints. In each photograph, Haxan’s unclothed form is positioned against a dramatic backdrop of red velvet curtains, evoking both the theatrics of performance and the blood-soaked history of persecution. His repeated, multiplied figures stand as defiant presences vulnerable yet strong caught in an endless, haunting loop. These works seem to speak of a cycle of presence, loss, and survival, portraying a spirit that endures through darkness.

Runegraf’s installation amplifies this sense of raw, dark power. Knives are scattered across the gallery floor and embedded in various parts of the space, adding a tactile, visceral edge. His work, which draws on graffiti and occult imagery, is filled with jagged symbols and primal markings that suggest rites of magic and transformation. The central piece, an image of a heart pierced by a knife, drawn on a detached animal heart suspended from the wall, creates a brutal yet captivating visual metaphor for sacrifice and power, positioning the viewer within a charged, almost dangerous environment.

In the heart of Runegraf’s space, tattoo artist Scumofthestars performed live tattooing, surrounded by the sharp energy of the knives and symbols in the room. Positioned as an integral part of the installation, Scumofthestars offered visitors the opportunity to receive tattoos inspired by the themes of The Coven, transforming the act of tattooing into a personal act of connection with the exhibition’s dark energy. As the tattoo machine buzzed, it blended with the intensity of the gallery, turning the room into a space where art, body, and magic converge. These tattoos, designed with occult symbols and sigils, became lasting marks that tied visitors to the night’s themes of resistance, power, and ancient forces.

Thanks to Kieron Coffey’s curating programme, tattoo performers will rotate throughout the exhibition, each bringing their unique interpretation of the exhibition’s themes. This dynamic approach allows for different energies to flow through the space each day, with the tattooing process continuing to be a part of the experience, allowing visitors to engage with the exhibition in a deeply personal way.

Later in the evening, Samuel Suffer performed with haunting intensity, wearing a helmet that concealed his face. He played guitar with a raw, ritualistic energy that resonated throughout the gallery. Between his searing riffs, Suffer recited his lyrics like incantations, his voice heavy with meaning, as though speaking words that carried the weight of centuries of fear and resistance. His performance was a fitting culmination of the exhibition’s themes, encapsulating the terror of persecution and the unyielding defiance of those who fought to survive.

Since its opening in March 2024, Metamorphika has quickly become a key venue for experimental art in Hackney. The Coven, on view by appointment until November 17, 2024, offers an experience that challenges and captivates. The exhibition immerses its audience in a world of ancient power and darkness, where the spirit of resistance pulses through both art and action, leaving an indelible mark on all who enter.

The Coven: A Descent into Dark Magic and Witchcraft / Metamorphika

Credits:

Exhibition: The Coven
Venue: Metamorphika / @metamorphika.studio
Curator: Maria Abramenko / @mariabramenko
Artists: Joseph Haxan / @josephhaxan
Rune Graf / @runegraf
Performers: Samuel Suffer / @samuel.suffer
Artemisia Nathair / @ahrtemisia
Live by: Sea / @freequeensea
Photos: René Lazovy / @renelazovy
Words: Annalisa Fabbrucci / @annalisa_fabbrucci

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