Interlinked arms. Tense bodily postures. An anonymous embrace. These are the scenes described by Polish artist Joanna Piotrowska (b. 1985) in new works at Kunsthalle Basel. The black and white prints dwell on the dynamics of power within domestic settings, documenting the multidimensional nature of human relationships.

Each image is at once psychologically charged and deeply physical, using the body to express gestures of care, self-protection and control. This duality results in uncanny and, at times, unsettling compositions. The photographs verge on the edge of claustrophobia, with characters seemingly locked within inescapable scenarios.

Stable Vices is at Kunsthalle Basel until 5 January. Find out more here.

Lead image:
1. Joanna Piotrowska, Untitled, 2019. Courtesy of the artist. Thanks to The Lewis Baltz Research Fund
2. Untitled, 2014. Courtesy of Southard Reid and Dawid Radziszewski.