Ana Čigon

Ana Čigon is an artist who explores and questions social constructs of gender and identity through painting. Her works often feature erotic motifs and themes that challenge traditional notions of gender and sexuality imposed by society. In her paintings, she frequently employs the appropriation of classical artworks, reinterpreting them through a contemporary social lens.One of her most notable projects is the reinterpretation of iconic nudes by Francisco de Goya and Édouard Manet. In the works Compromise (or Dressed and Undressed in May) and Olimpus, she not only swaps the gender of the depicted figures but also deconstructs the dynamics of power and passivity in the portrayed bodies. Her motifs blend sharp critique with playful subversion, shedding light on issues of gender representation in art and society.Čigon earned a degree in painting from the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Ljubljana before continuing her postgraduate studies in video and later completing a master’s degree in Austria. Although she later focused primarily on video and performance, her early painting practice remains crucial to understanding her artistic expression. A socially engaged exploration of art characterizes her work as a tool for reflection and the reconfiguration of established social norms.Her works have been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions, and she has received several awards, including the OHO Group Award. She lives and works in Ljubljana and Štanjel.