Janiva Ellis presents a multifaceted exhibition at Kunsthalle Basel, exploring the history of violence in modernity through paintings that blend history painting, cartoon, and abstraction. Her works, including "Glint" and "Une nuit agitée," feature angels, hybrid creatures, and dystopian landscapes, questioning the origins and functions of violence in art history and society.
This exhibition matters because it offers a critical, contemporary perspective on how violence and exclusion are embedded in visual culture, challenging traditional narratives. Ellis’s use of diverse styles and references—from Walter Benjamin to Francis Bacon—engages viewers in a dialogue about power, history, and the role of art in reflecting societal tensions, making it a significant contribution to current discourse in painting.