Argentinian artist Ángela Ferrari presents a compelling exploration of power dynamics and control through her latest exhibition "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" featuring dramatic oil paintings that capture intense moments of conflict between animals. The collection showcases Ferrari's distinctive approach to examining the relationship between predator and prey, drawing inspiration from traditional hunting paintings while challenging masculine displays of dominance.
Ferrari's work is characterized by scenes of antagonism where dogs snap at each other, horses buck and bare their teeth, and birds lie motionless on the ground. Her paintings range from intimate 15 x 20 centimeter pieces with loose brushstrokes that focus on singular moments of tension to massive canvases that magnify multiple conflicts with vivid detail. The artist's technique involves oil on linen, creating rich textures that bring her subjects to life.
The centerpiece "Aurora" (2025) stretches nearly 12 feet wide at 190 x 363 centimeters, presenting a diverse group of birds with varying dispositions against a stunning mottled sky. Some creatures appear poised for inevitable battle, while others have already fallen victim or continue their lives seemingly unaffected by the surrounding chaos. This expansive work shares thematic elements with "Aurora IX" (2024), a smaller 60 x 80 centimeter piece that similarly explores themes of decay and vitality through falling flowers and vibrant feathers.
The exhibition represents a significant shift in Ferrari's artistic approach, moving from indoor settings of her earlier works to fully wild environments. Other notable pieces include "They shoot horses, don't they? II" (2025), measuring an impressive 450 x 155 centimeters, and smaller works like "Dog" (2025) and the "Horse diptych" series, each measuring 15 x 20 centimeters. The "Vértigo" series from 2024 adds another dimension with pieces measuring 143 x 102 centimeters and 140 x 120 centimeters respectively.
Ferrari describes her artistic style as "grotesque-passionate baroque," incorporating sensual fabrics and grand spaces that complement her rich color palette. The exhibition title references the 1969 Sydney Pollack film, bringing themes of violence and suffering to the forefront rather than relegating them to background elements as seen in historical hunting genre paintings. This deliberate positioning forces viewers to confront the brutality that often underlies struggles for dominance.
Through her work, Ferrari highlights what she sees as a ruthless aspect of nature where competition for dominance inevitably leads to dramatic conflict. Rather than accepting such hostility as simply inevitable, she encourages viewers to investigate the underlying causes of these confrontations. Her paintings serve as a mirror to human behavior, questioning the roots of aggression and the consequences of unchecked power.
"They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" runs through December 14 at Povos gallery in Chicago, offering art enthusiasts an opportunity to experience Ferrari's powerful commentary on power, control, and the eternal struggle between life and death. The exhibition demonstrates Ferrari's continued evolution as an artist willing to confront difficult themes through her distinctive visual language.
