ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Splendid Isolation Explores Art Forged in Solitude

exhibition · 2026-04-22

The Canvas exhibition 'Splendid Isolation' examines artistic production under conditions of seclusion, whether self-imposed or forced. Conceived during the 2020 lockdown and the pandemic's aftermath, the show assembles works by 22 artists from different cultures and generations, including Adrien Vescovi, Asim Abu Shakra, Louise Bourgeois, Nalini Malani, and Zehra Doğan. Their creations, made in prisons, psychiatric institutions, or isolated locations due to ideological oppression, religious discrimination, or social inequality, probe the boundaries of human freedom and question standardization based on culture, race, gender, and biology. Multiple works per artist reveal the origins and development of each oeuvre, often tied to autobiographical backgrounds. The exhibition catalogue is available in the museum bookshop.

Key facts

  • Exhibition titled 'Splendid Isolation' at Canvas
  • Dedicated to life in isolation, inspired by 2020 lockdown and pandemic
  • Features 22 artists: Adrien Vescovi, Asim Abu Shakra, Danny Bergeman, David Byrd, Derek Jarman, Dom Sylvester Houédard, Eugenio Dittborn, Forrest Bess, Frank Walter, Hélène Amouzou, Hervé Yamguen, Hessie, Irma Blank, Judith Scott, Luciano Perna, Majd Abdel Hamid, Louise Bourgeois, Nalini Malani, Salam Atta Sabri, Sheroanawe Hakihiiwe, Shuvinai Ashoona, Zehra Doğan
  • Works created under self-imposed or forced restrictions
  • Artworks address identity, freedom, and standardization
  • Multiple works per artist on display
  • Catalogue available in museum bookshop
  • Exhibition explores isolation due to oppression, discrimination, inequality

Entities

Artists

  • Adrien Vescovi
  • Asim Abu Shakra
  • Danny Bergeman
  • David Byrd
  • Derek Jarman
  • Dom Sylvester Houédard
  • Eugenio Dittborn
  • Forrest Bess
  • Frank Walter
  • Hélène Amouzou
  • Hervé Yamguen
  • Hessie
  • Irma Blank
  • Judith Scott
  • Luciano Perna
  • Majd Abdel Hamid
  • Louise Bourgeois
  • Nalini Malani
  • Salam Atta Sabri
  • Sheroanawe Hakihiiwe
  • Shuvinai Ashoona
  • Zehra Doğan

Institutions

  • Canvas

Sources