NICC is pleased to present A Chapel Against Fascism, a solo exhibition by Denys Shantar.

Using Christian symbols, references from art history and folklore, as well as stories from his own life, Shantar weaves together a rich and layered narrative. His work explores themes from childhood, religion, migration, and queerness. At the heart of his practice is his research into how Christian saints and martyrs have been represented over time. This research becomes a way for him to examine and reimagine queer identities, in both historical and contemporary contexts.

Shantar’s critical research explores the making of saints, a process based on Christian morality, but also shaped by broader socio-political dynamics. Historically, religious institutions canonized figures not solely for their faith or miracles but also based on shifting political and ideological needs. This reveals how sainthood is intertwined with institutional power, generating both influence and wealth through pilgrimages, relic veneration, and the creation of sanctuaries. In this way, the idea of sainthood is deeply influenced by political, economic, and social factors, demonstrating how faith, power and authority are intertwined.  interconnected. By blending oppositions and focusing on ambiguities, Shantar creates a new iconography that challenges dominant identities and narratives.

In A Chapel Against Fascism, Shantar presents a large textile fresco depicting saints, martyrs, and blessed figures who actively fought against fascist regimes during World War II. Using traditional weaving techniques, he reclaims the visual language of religion and inscribes it with alternative narratives.

Discover the Glossary of Saints here

In July 2025, 80 years after the end of World War II, and at a time when these ideologies are regaining a troubling vitality, Denys Shantar’s work takes on resonance.

Denys Shantar (b. 1997, Kherson) is a Ukrainian-Swiss artist based in Antwerp. His practice spans textile, costume design, and installation, often grounded in archival research and personal history.
Commissioned by Komplot Brussels for Supermarket Art Fair 2025.