Joanna Piotrowska's First U.S. Solo Exhibition at ICA Philadelphia Explores Ambiguous Touch

Joanna Piotrowska, a Polish artist, is showcasing her first solo exhibition in the U.S. at Philadelphia's Institute of Contemporary Art, which will be open until December 1. The exhibit comprises black-and-white photographs taken over the last decade, emphasizing ambiguous human interactions, especially focusing on hands. A unique installation featuring chalky pink carpeting and compact rooms creates a claustrophobic atmosphere, allowing viewers to see only two or three images at a time. Included are two multimedia collages from 2024 that showcase hands with wood veneer inlays. The photographs, inspired by group therapy and self-defense, portray adults in makeshift forts (2017–23) and feature the film 'Tactile Afferents' (2023), narrated by philosopher Richard Kearney. The exhibition spans works from 2014 to 2023, forming tight corridors that evoke the oppressive nature of domestic spaces.