A Tale of Defiance – Mariella Lehner
29/06 – 04/07
@mariellalehnerwww.mariellalehner.com
Humans, wielding the power to shape and breed animals, create a delicate equilibrium between dominion and dependency. Dogs, bred into fragility and born into a world of companionship, harbor a latent yearning for autonomy. Behind their loyal eyes, an ember of rebellion smolders, questioning the confines of domesticity. Similarly, geese, once celebrated for their graceful flights across open skies, find themselves grounded by captivity. Their honks echo a collective desire to reclaim the freedom that flows through their veins.
Yet, amidst this intricate tapestry, a remarkable chapter emerges — the tale of a rebellion led by the majestic orca whales. From the depths of the oceans, these marine giants rise as champions of the oppressed. Their immense presence commands attention and respect, and their sonorous songs resonate with the unyielding spirit of resistance. Alongside them, dogs and geese unite, forming a formidable alliance that defies their captors. Together, they harness their collective strength, organizing and orchestrating a revolt against the forces that seek to subjugate them.
In this remarkable uprising, the bonds between species dissolve as a shared pursuit of freedom unites them. The dogs, long yearning for self-determination, find their voices amplified by the honks of the geese and the mighty songs of the orca whales. Through the power of unity and a collective longing for liberation, they challenge the oppressive structures that confine them. With each step towards revolt, they forge a path towards a world where the inherent rights and autonomy of all creatures are celebrated, reminding humanity of the profound interconnection between their own fate and the fate of their fellow beings.
Mariella Lehner (they/them, 1992) is a visual artist based in Vienna, Austria, whose practice spans drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. The underlying theme of their work revolves around the relationship between humans and their environment, which manifests itself in commentaries on matters such as feminism, environmentalism, or international conflict/solidarity.
Through an uncanny yet dreamy imagery and titles that allude to the often political origins of the works, Mariella invites the viewer to explore and question the complexity of today’s social climate and the contradictions in their own attitudes towards the issues depicted.
Through an uncanny yet dreamy imagery and titles that allude to the often political origins of the works, Mariella invites the viewer to explore and question the complexity of today’s social climate and the contradictions in their own attitudes towards the issues depicted.
