Painter Agni Zotis has unleashed a bold new chapter in her artistic career with the debut of Step Into The Light, a solo exhibition at Project 200 in Chelsea. This captivating body of work is an electrifying display of color, energy, and raw emotion—an exhibition that reflects both personal transformation and universal themes. It’s a series years in the making, where the artist has turned personal trauma into an exhilarating, and at times overwhelming, visual experience.
The inspiration for Step Into The Light came from a deeply disturbing event in 2015, on Valentine’s Day, when a man tragically jumped to his death from the roof of Zotis’ apartment building, landing directly on her patio. This traumatic experience marked the beginning of a long, emotional journey for the artist. Rather than retreating in silence, Zotis channeled the violence and horror of the moment into her work. In a candid reflection on the process, she admits to being greatly disturbed by the event and explains that it took her time to fully process the trauma. The result is a body of work that feels both raw and intentional—a collection of paintings that have been years in the making, incubating in ideation.
Zotis describes this series as the longest period of time she’s ever dedicated to one body of work. The depth of commitment shows in each piece: vibrant, visceral, and yet carefully constructed. These paintings are electric, alive with movement and color, conveying a sense of spontaneity that still maintains a sense of control and purpose. As Zotis says, "The work is feminine, single focus movement. Ancient vibrations, modern forms transcend time. Staring into the abyss and moving through it makes me feel alive."
At the heart of Step Into The Light is an exploration of trauma and transcendence. Zotis reflects on how she internalized the brutality of the incident and transformed it into something she could live with. “I took someone’s brutality, internalized it and made it into something I can live with," she reveals. It’s a raw acknowledgment of the darker parts of the human experience, yet one that turns them into a symbol of strength, growth, and healing. There’s a distinct tension in Zotis’ work between vulnerability and power, between the rawness of the past and the triumph of transformation.
One of the most compelling aspects of Zotis' work is its immersive quality. The paintings themselves are already striking, filled with swirling colors and explosive compositions. But Zotis elevates the experience by controlling the lighting in the gallery. When the main gallery lights are turned off, strategically placed black lights illuminate the works in unexpected ways, transforming them into glowing, almost otherworldly visions. What was once an energetic splash of color becomes an ethereal display, as the paintings seem to come alive, burning like smoldering fires in the dark. This transformation makes Step Into The Light feel like two exhibitions in one, offering a new perspective with each shift in lighting. The effect is breathtaking—a visual embodiment of the artist's journey through darkness toward light.
In her artist statement, Zotis shares a deeply personal reflection on the role of womanhood in her creative evolution. "It’s the embrace of my womanhood that allowed me to transcend boundaries, outside inflicted and from within," she writes. “A lot of close examination as it disguises itself as truth. I always want to evolve and break ideologies." This insight provides another layer of understanding to the work—a recognition that personal growth, empowerment, and self-realization are intertwined with the broader forces that shape our lives.
In conclusion, Step Into The Light is not just an exhibition, but an emotional journey. Through her use of color, composition, and light, Agni Zotis invites viewers to witness the transformation of trauma into art. This body of work is both deeply personal and universally resonant, offering a chance to reflect on our own experiences of suffering, healing, and growth. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is potential for light, and that through art, we can transcend and evolve, embracing the full spectrum of our humanity.
If you haven’t yet experienced Agni Zotis' work, Step Into The Light is an exhibition you won’t want to miss. It’s a testament to the artist's resilience and creative vision, and a powerful reflection on the intersection of trauma, transformation, and the human spirit.
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