I Am Ethel
Oil & Collage on Canvas

In I Am Ethel, artist Jônatas weaves together multiple threads of his artistic journey—melding realism with abstract expressionism to create a bold, evocative body of work. This series serves as both a visual culmination and a conceptual deepening, where form and symbolism converge to explore themes of memory, identity, and moral confrontation. Jônatas' visceral palette—rooted in deep reds and fleshy tones—recalls imagery of the womb, evoking both origin and vulnerability. These chromatic choices draw an intentional link to In Thy Tent I Dwell, the artist’s immersive glowing installation that reflects on exile, revelation, and sanctuary. In I Am Ethel, the recurring motif of radiant crowns twisted into thorns furthers Chimen’s critical dialogue on the tension between independent thought and religious or societal dogma—another layer in his ongoing reflection on the legacy of the combating extremism.​