Tegn/NearFar
Stavanger kunstforening
11.4.-1.5.13
A wide range of drawing techniques on the topic near/far by artists somehow connected to West Norway
Each year there is an open call for artists connected to West Norway for Vestlandsutstillingen, an exhibition touring the west coast during the year. This year's chosen technique is drawing, and the topic is the duality or contrast Near/Far.
I love the idea of a democratic process and the element of surprise each year, you never know what you will get. The techique and the topic gives a wide range of possibilites for creativity. I find quite some works having an impact on me, but I struggle to find the common factor in the works. Some of the works are far from drawing as you would expect it, on the other hand I do not find the topic in all the works either, and I wonder how tight connection the artists need to have to the west Norway. There seem to have been a quite wide understanding of the criterias. Does it matter? Not so much. But I do miss the one artwork that makes everything fit and connects it all.
Here are some of my impressions of Vestlandsutstillingen 2013:
Opening talk by curator Kjetil Berge, a positive event where each work was presented
Marianne Løvvik: Et annet land en annen tid
One of my favourite works, and the one work that really fits all the criteria. Sandnes-based Marianne Løvvik shows off her drawing skills in a work with duality, contrast, immediateness and depth.
View of one of the three exhibition halls, displaying the works "Svarte kladder" by Linda Skare, "To sider av same sak" by Anders Kjellesvik & Sigmund Skard, and Vania Cunha: "1714"
Janna Thøle-Juul: Untitled (tremaskin)
- a wonderful piece of perpetual Christmas: the two trees are spinning round, violently brushing against each other, debris being tossed around. It is at the same time a banal and complicated piece, intuitive and fun. It may be a ironic pointed finger to Christmas celebration, forestry or biodiversity issues.
In the background you also see the giant flower printed on paper, the ""Balderbrå/Matricaria Perforata" by Bodil Røvik-Larsen
Louisa Minkin: Sandnessangen
Earlier displayed during Vitamin Sandnes, Louisa Minkin's collection of drawings are based on found photos on the topic "Sandnes". Some motives are obvious, other rather obscure, and some (unintentionally) ironic. She made this drawings based on photos before having been in Sandnes at all. All is enchanced by her declamation of the patriotic Song of Sandnes, spoken with the voice of the artist having no idea about the meaning of the words.
Alexander Greenall: Rockwork
Also taking drawing seriously is Alexander Greenall, in a quiet and harmonic piece. It took a while to notice, but after some time I became increasingly fond of it. There is a certain feeling of spontaneuity in it, even if I have a strong feeling that each line is carefully planned.
Annika Strøm: Life upsets me
And I just fell for this simple and impressive dystopian message painted in bright colors. Sometimes it just is as easy as that.
