Thomas Dane Gallery presents ‘Shadows’, a compelling new exhibition by Ella Kruglyanskaya, marking the first in a series of three exhibitions showcasing the artist’s work across the year. This exhibition brings together a collection of new paintings and drawings that both honor and question the legacy of artists and experiences that have shaped Kruglyanskaya’s distinctive practice.
Kruglyanskaya, born in 1978 in Riga, Latvia, draws inspiration from a diverse range of sources, including textile design, graphic arts, and the rich histories of painting. Her work often playfully reformulates these influences within large-scale portraits, combining cartoonish and sardonic figures with elements of still life. The artist’s unique approach is evident in pieces such as ‘Everyone and Their Mortality’ (2024), where she ingeniously translates contemporary ideograms into trompe l’oeil, placing these symbols within familiar art historical scenes.
In ‘Shadows’, Kruglyanskaya explores the nature of artistic influence and the ongoing dialogue surrounding the future of painting. Her new body of work features long shadows cast by light entering her New York studio, which reframe images created by her painterly influences. These shadows dance across rushing female figures and intertwine with references to both evolving and obsolete technology. Kruglyanskaya’s acts of homage are cleverly destabilized by satirical or double entendre titles, challenging contemporary ways of seeing and making art.
The exhibition showcases Kruglyanskaya’s engagement with a wide array of artistic references, from Josef Albers and Édouard Manet to Juan Sánchez Cotán and Anthea Hamilton. Her work also nods to René Magritte and the numerous representations of odalisques throughout art history. This rich tapestry of influences is woven into Kruglyanskaya’s distinctive visual language, creating a body of work that is both a tribute to artistic heritage and a bold statement on contemporary art-making.
‘Shadows’ by Ella Kruglyanskaya will be on display at Thomas Dane Gallery in London from 28 February to 3 May 2025. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to experience the work of an artist who continues to push the boundaries of painting while engaging in a thoughtful dialogue with art history.
| Ella Kruglyanskaya Shadows |
| Private view: Thursday 27 February, 6–8pm Exhibition dates: 28 February–3 May 2025Thomas Dane Gallery 11 Duke Street, St James’s London SW1 |
