The Terminus 1978

Editor: This is Conroy Maddox’s 1978 oil painting, “The Terminus.” I’m immediately struck by the unusual combination of architectural detail and almost dreamlike qualities. The colours are quite muted and the buildings look a little imposing, yet there’s this figure lifting weights in the foreground that feels a little out of place, almost like a playful challenge to the serious setting. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, if we consider Maddox's surrealist roots, it’s interesting to look at this “Terminus” as an end point in the industrial process but also an arena of labor, represented by the athlete. Notice how the starkness of the industrial architecture clashes with the oddly placed figure—weightlifting requires physical strength, and perhaps Maddox is commenting on the human capital required in these massive projects. Is it being celebrated or is the painting posing something critical? Editor: I see what you mean. The material choices add another layer—oil paint allows for very smooth rendering and layering that helps construct this uncanny scene. Was there any relationship between labour representation and materials around Maddox? Curator: Absolutely. Maddox was deeply engaged with Marxist ideas and understood how material conditions influenced artistic production. The use of oil paint in this context elevates the everyday scene, but it also comments on how industry shapes art. The meticulous brushwork almost mimics the structured labour that would've contributed to building that city landscape. He transforms these raw resources into both an act of protest and artistic value. Editor: That’s fascinating. So, by exploring materials and techniques, you get an insight into Maddox's social commentary on work and labor? Curator: Precisely! Through his craftsmanship, Maddox compels us to think critically about materiality itself. His labour mirrors that of all laborers—artist or factory worker. He uses these traditional methods as a language to dissect these values. Editor: This totally changed how I look at the picture, thanks for this. Curator: Glad I could shed a new perspective! It’s always about challenging what we consider "art."