In Pursuit of Everyday Rituals and Ancient Forms: Grace Weaver and “Parataxis” in Berlin

Bringing to her canvases the small moments of daily life that seem ordinary yet turn into rituals as they repeat, Grace Weaver presents one of the autumn season’s most eagerly anticipated exhibitions in Berlin. On view from September 4 to October 24, 2026, at Galerie Max Hetzler’s space on Bleibtreustraße (in collaboration with Soy Capitán), “Parataxis” deepens the artist’s perspective on domestic spaces, her connection with color, and the human body through brand-new works.

Watching the bent, elongated, or compressed figures in Weaver’s paintings sitting alone on a chair, raising a glass, or holding an amphora, my mind wanders directly to that timeless narrative James Joyce constructed through everyday gestures. Yet this ceremonial seriousness on the canvases is instantly broken by the artist’s signature mischievous humor. Bodies and objects seem to mimic one another’s forms; while a figure’s shoulder repeats the curve in the handle of the ancient jug it holds, the upright backrest of a chair echoes the rigid posture of a human. Derived from the Ancient Greek meaning “to place side by side” or “to arrange,” the title Parataxis beautifully encapsulates how forms and bodies in this shallow space are incised onto the surface like Mesopotamian cylinder seals or ancient reliefs.

One of the details that excites me most about this exhibition is Weaver’s technique and color palette. Following a layered preparation process, the artist completes the final state of the painting on a single wet plane, giving birth to both figure and background simultaneously, virtually weaving cobalt blues and vibrant primary colors inspired by Mycenaean frescoes onto the surface of the canvas. Seeing the broad, scroll-like brushstrokes on large canvases side by side with the lean expressive power that makes a fingernail or hand visible with a single mark on her small-format works will offer a fantastic visual rhythm at the gallery.

Opening its doors with a reception on Friday evening, September 4, I cannot wait to visit this exhibition and bear witness up close to that wet, vibrant texture of colors on the canvas surface.