ASCENDIA: Elevations of Identity, Ritual, and Transformation
- Galerie Sara Lily Perez
- Sep 13, 2025
- 4 min read
Ascendia embodies the concept of collective and individual elevation, serving as both a metaphor and a platform for exploring how humanity strives to rise above limitations and achieve higher states of being. Derived from the word “ascend,” the exhibition’s title points to the pursuit of growth - personally, spiritually, and socially, through transformative processes and visionary aspirations.
The Idea of ASCENDIA
Ascendia is about people growing, changing, and reaching for something higher in their lives. The exhibition’s premise revolves around shared ascent: artists and audiences alike are invited to contemplate how rituals, identity work, and transformative experiences act as catalysts for reaching new heights. Through the dialogue established by the works of Justine Otto and Giuseppe Gonella, Ascendia visualizes the strong desire to overcome boundaries, dissolve old constructs, and reveal the extraordinary within the ordinary.
The Artists' Dialogue
Justine Otto's contribution to Ascendia centers on her newest "Crowd Series," marking a notable evolution in her artistic approach. Moving away from her earlier focus on solitary figures and intimate groups, Otto now creates scenes crowded with interwoven bodies and limbs that pulse with the energy and complexity of communal life. Her compositions feature bodies that overlap and blur into painterly abstraction, with faces shifting between anonymity and deeply felt psychological presence, embodying the tension between individual identity and the collective experience.
In this series, Otto uses a vibrant color palette and dynamic brushwork to capture the emotional rhythms of public life, exploring how personal identities merge, clash, or transform within larger social masses. This exploration deeply engages with Ascendia’s theme of elevation, as Otto reveals the multifaceted nature of human connection and the transformative power found in shared experiences. Her work creates a dialogue about how people both lose and find themselves in community, highlighting the constant negotiation between selfhood and collectivity
Giuseppe Gonella’s canvases plunge into surreal landscapes shaped by memory, ritual, and myth. His figures dissolve and re-emerge in dreamlike realms, embodying an ongoing search for liberation and transformation. Gonella’s textured compositions invite viewers into emotional and psychological spaces where time and narratives unfold in layers.
In the context of Ascendia, his work is a visual metaphor for the shifting nature of consciousness and how past and present come together. It reveals layers of shared memory and desire that shape our common human story. It also shows the ongoing effort to break free from limits and embrace change and renewal. By combining classical painting techniques with modern symbolism, Gonella deepens the exhibition’s theme of ascent, showing how transformation is both a personal journey and a shared human experience.
Themes of Identity, Ritual, and Transformation
At the exhibition’s heart, the works talk about the deep human desire to “ascend” - to rise above difficulties, limits, and stagnation. Otto’s paintings focus on the constant push and pull between being part of a group and keeping one’s individual identity. Gonella’s art explores personal and mythic journeys of change and growth. Together, their works create powerful images that symbolize healing, growth, and the hopeful potential for the future. Their dialogue highlights how personal transformation and collective progress are connected, inviting viewers to reflect on the shared path of becoming and rising beyond the ordinary.
The show’s meditative atmosphere invites reflection on rituals, both public and private - that shape identity, offering visitors a space for introspection at the intersection of tradition and personal evolution.
Experience ASCENDIA During Art Week
As Berlin fills with the inspiring energy of Art Week, Galerie Sara Lily Perez warmly opens its doors to all art enthusiasts, collectors, and curious visitors. Ascendia is a great opportunity to expand your Art Week experience with an intimate yet powerful exhibition that invites you to reflect and connect. Whether you are exploring the festival venues or seeking an inspiring moment of pause, this show offers a vibrant conversation between distinct artistic visions and the universal themes of growth and transformation.
Opening Night: A Warm Welcome to ASCENDIA
The opening of ASCENDIA was a warmly received event that perfectly matched the exhibition’s theme of elevation and connection. The gallery’s spacious, thoughtfully arranged layout allowed guests to experience each work comfortably, with ideal positioning that encouraged dialogue between Otto's dynamic crowds and Gonella’s surreal landscapes. A diverse group of visitors attended, including art lovers, collectors, and cultural influencers, all drawn by the powerful themes of identity, ritual, and transformation. The evening was marked by lively conversations and a shared appreciation for the art's ability to inspire reflection and renewal.
ASCENDIA: A Journey of Growth and Renewal
Ascendia invites everyone to reflect on the power of change, growth, and connection. Through the moving works of Justine Otto and Giuseppe Gonella, the exhibition opens a space to think about who we are, how we relate to others, and how we can rise beyond challenges. It is a shared journey that celebrates hope, healing, and the exciting possibilities of becoming more than we are today.
Don't miss the chance to see Ascendia at Galerie Sara Lily Perez.
On view from September 6 to October 4, 2025.
Written by: Mariia Vlasina
References
Artists: Giuseppe Gonella (b. 1984, Italy), Justine Otto (b. 1974, Poland).
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