"Ana Karkar's paintings have a distant memory of films, not at all virtuous, more haunted than exact. Ana Karkar paints these images of films as they continue to live in us, after their projection, inhabiting the back of our mind: caution, a permanent storm."

— Philippe Azoury, Journalist and Film Critic

Galerie Marguo is pleased to present Return From Exile, a suite of new works by French-American artist Ana Karkar. Comprising a series of canvases ranging from intimate to monumental scales, the melting and distorted figures painted within are largely inspired by cult films. On view from 15 October to 19 November 2022, this exhibition marks the artist’s first solo show with the gallery on the occasion of the first edition of Paris+ par Art Basel.

Editor Jeremy Benkemoun writes of Ana Karkar’s work: “From one hell to another the line is so fine, so which one to choose: a hell in reality or one of images? In truth, it is on the border of these two that Ana’s figures exist, living in our imagination as well as on our screen. Like Adjani in Possession (1981), who from a fit of hysteria gives birth to a god, the paintings pay homage to those marginalized, those who access the sacred when they explode. Ana Karkar reflects on multiple planes: on the parallels between reality and film, and bridges between film and today’s painting.”