Justine Otto, Dog Days (2024), Photo courtesy of Justine OttoBerlin, save the date! From September 6 to October 4, 2025, Galerie Sara Lily Perez will host “Ascendia,” an exhibition featuring the works of artists Justine Otto and Giuseppe Gonella. This event presents an in-depth exploration of humanity’s collective journey toward transformation and transcendence, inviting viewers to reflect on the themes of becoming, memory, and myth.
The title “Ascendia,” derived from the idea of ascending, serves as a metaphor for both individual and universal progress, seeking to highlight the aspirations to rise above limitations and everyday inertia. The exhibition showcases the distinctive yet complementary practices of Otto and Gonella, creating a meditative space that facilitates introspection and contemplation.
Giuseppe Gonella, Night’s light, body and turtle, (2021), Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Gonella@galerieslp / saralilyperez.com/exhibition/ascendia
Budapester Str. 48 10787 – Berlin | Bikini Berlin 1.OG
Justine Otto‘s latest series, the “Crowd Series,” signifies a significant shift in her work. Moving away from her previous focus on solitary figures and small groups, this series presents densely populated scenes that capture the energy and complexity of communal life. Otto’s compositions feature overlapping bodies that blur into painterly abstraction, with faces navigating between anonymity and tangible psychological presence. Through the “Crowd Series,” she examines the tensions between individuality and collectivity, revealing how identities can merge or clash within a larger mass. Her vibrant palette and sweeping brushstrokes embody the pulse of shared experiences, reflecting the emotional dynamics that characterise modern public life.
Justine Otto, Schuhskulptur (2025), Photo courtesy of Justine OttoIn contrast, Giuseppe Gonella‘s artworks delve into landscapes steeped in memory, ritual, and mythic allegory. His meticulously crafted compositions dissolve and reconfigure figures within surreal, dreamlike settings. Gonella’s art serves as a visual metaphor for the fluidity of consciousness, showcasing the convergence of past and present along with the encoding of collective longing through texture and colour. His pieces illuminate a broader narrative of transformation, representing the human quest for liberation and evolution.
Together, Otto and Gonella engage in a rich dialogue through their artworks in “Ascendia.” Their creations explore personal growth and shared human experiences, inviting audiences to reflect on both individual and collective ascents.
About the Artists:
Justine Otto (b. 1974, Poland) has developed a unique visual language that blends figuration and abstraction, informed by her training at the Städelschule in Frankfurt. Her layered oil paintings encompass a range of themes, including identity, memory, and emotion, using vivid palettes to challenge traditional representations of authority and power. Otto’s art captures the interplay between human figures and abstract spaces, presenting a critical perspective on power, gender, and vulnerability. @ottojustine
Justine Otto, Yellow Step (2025), Photo courtesy of Justine OttoGiuseppe Gonella (b. 1984, Italy) is a Berlin-based artist whose work explores themes of memory, identity, and transformation. A graduate of the Accademia di Belle Arti in Venice, Gonella has developed an international career, living and working in various cities, including New York and Lisbon. His paintings reflect on contemporary human experiences through dystopian landscapes, merging classical traditions with modern allegories. Gonella’s expressive brushwork invites viewers into emotionally charged realms where time and space intertwine. @giuseppe_gonella
Giuseppe Gonella, Solar Resonances (2023), Photo courtesy of Giuseppe GonellaJoin Galerie Sara Lily Perez to experience “Ascendia,” a compelling exhibition that captures the essence of human striving and transformation.
