JULIET WAS HERE / LOST & FOUND by CJ Hendry
Juliet Was Here — LOST & FOUND by CJ Hendry
An exhibition, observed
CJ Hendry’s latest exhibition at Chadstone is built around a single object: the key. Her new series of artworks transforms oversized keychains into hyper-detailed illustrations, and brings them to life through an interactive maze of padlocks.
At the entrance, each visitor is handed a blue motel-style key. Try every padlock in the maze. If yours opens one, you win a limited-edition CJ Hendry artwork.
At last night’s preview, the girl ahead of us won. Our keys didn’t fit. Too big.
Hendry mentioned the show wasn’t what she initially envisioned, but she was proud of how it came together. The install took just six days. Hundreds of padlocks. Perspex walls in bright blue. Sam, ever observant, noted: “Even the core flute was done beautifully.”
The experience is layered, part retail theatre, part conceptual art, part public game.
There are two zones: the main maze, and a smaller one displaying an original drawing and a cluster of giant keychains, cast in candy-colored resin.
We were welcomed with Champagne and Negronis — our two favourites. The Negroni ice was etched with the maze. A perfect detail. Caviar-topped Spanish chips, oysters, and a lolly station stocked with sour worms, Reeses, and full-sized Tony’s bars made the space feel generous, playful, and open to everyone.
Guests I recognised: Rachelle Unreich, Alice Zaslavsky, Rone, Britty Flynn, Kate Langbroek, Damien Woolnough, Adam from Gogglebox.
I’ve admired CJ since 2014, when I messaged her asking how she found her style and the courage to pursue it. She replied:
“Even a few hours of drawing a week can change your life.”
Eleven years later, I walked through her maze holding one of her keys.
Lost & Found is open now at Chadstone Shopping Centre until June 30.
Entry is free. Everyone gets a key.
A few scenes from the night:
