Janiva Ellis's exhibition 'Fear Corroded Ape' at the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts features 14 unfinished pieces, some dating back to 2019. This intentional choice reflects her artistic journey, where she layers mythological and biblical themes in muted tones, seeking to embrace vulnerability in the art form. The concept emerged spontaneously, highlighting her desire to challenge conventional ideas regarding completion and mastery in art. Ellis finds value in exhibiting her unfinished works alongside students at Harvard, promoting a dialogue about the nature of creation and the emotional depth present in the in-progress state of art.
Ellis interweaves styles and references with internet-brained liquidity. Formally, her canvases are belabored yet raw, even the finished ones.
The show’s premise came to her spontaneously, Ellis said. But as the idea developed, she realized, I want to be vulnerable.
It’s hard to tell the difference between pieces that are finished and those that aren’t, reflecting her approach to the art-making process.
She thought such an exhibition might undermine art's traditional emphasis on mastery, showcasing the beauty in incomplete works.
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