The Anatomy Lesson

The exhibition features a new body of work that continues Acosta's exploration of appropriation, materiality, and cultural commentary through his signature 'stolen paintings' technique. Acosta, known for his innovative approach to reinterpreting masterpieces, deepens into the aesthetic, symbolic, and historical significance of institutional walls, transforming them into artistic subjects. The title of the show is inspired by Rembrandt's famous painting, 'The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp.' Acosta's 'stolen' piece, 'The Anatomy Lesson,' is a focal point around which other ideas revolve. Rembrandt's work depicts the autopsy of the criminal Aris Kindt, also known as Adriaan Adriaanszoon, who was sentenced to death for armed robbery. Acosta brings to us a metaphorical autopsy — a kind of artistic medical examination — where he critically reflects on his own process as an artist, and the exhibition functions as a self-portrait. He challenges viewers to dissect the anatomy of art itself: its creation, value, and the structures that sustain it. The piece 'The Anatomy Lesson' contrasts the gestural energy and the raw materials that Acosta introduces in a totally new body of work. The artist goes beyond the surface, exposing the inner components of the gallery walls — wooden beams and plaster — which he reorganizes into new artistic compositions with the aid of large layers of wall paint. These elements take on new meanings as he deconstructs and reconstructs them, raising important questions about the relationship between creation and destruction, original and reinterpretation, and past and present. From the meticulous and detailed method to the rough decomposition of the gallery elements, he highlights the fragility and resilience of art and identity, inviting viewers to reconsider how we interact with the spaces and materials that shape our history. Curated by Claudia Taboada Churchman.