Astrid Svangren

The paintings serve as sidekicks in a drama directed by the artist. They mark out the conquered territory in an ongoing process. Her imagery has taken on a more spatial character in recent years, and her works often consist of paintings that are extended by the addition of various materials. The paintings are covered in exquisite, sheer fabric or thin paper that contrasts with the mute exclusiveness of the Plexiglas sheets. Isolated objects are placed around the room as reference points, creating a dialogue with both the paintings and the viewer – in this case, a wooden tub inspired by the ascetic Shaker culture. Yet, all the objects are part of one single work.

Astrid Svangren’s site-specific installation is about purification and exaltation. Thus, even the absence of colour is significant, with nude reflections and scratched traces in the Plexiglas like memories of eroded activity. Her method is both controlled and tentative, with an aesthetically refined style that is counterbalanced by the violently powerful application of paint.

Astrid Svangren

Born 1972 in Gothenburg
Lives and works in Copenhagen [DK]

Education

1995–1998 Konsthögskolan i Malmö/Malmö Art Academy, Malmö
1993–1995 Malmö Konstskola Forum, Malmö

Selected solo exhibitions

2009 Vad jag minns…, Moderna Museet Malmö, Malmö
2008 Med örat mot snittytan, Elastic, Malmö
2007 Nordiska Akvarellmuseet, Skärhamn

Selected group exhibitions

2010 Contemporary Living, Kiasma, Helsingfors/Helsinki [FI]
2009 I Love Malmö, Kumu konstmuseeum, Tallin [EE]
2008 På plats mitt i det upplevda, måleri idag, Ystads Konstmuseum, Ystad

Selected bibliography

Vad jag minns/att jag var varm av rädsla/en tunn väv/babbel och en vit krage/ett upprätthållande av ett tillstånd/och allt det jag inte kunde se (utst.fold./exh. fold.), (text av/by: Magnus Jensner), Moderna museet Malmö, 2009.
På plats mitt i det upplevda, måleri i dag (utst.kat./exh.cat.), (text av/by: Yrr Jonasdottir), Ystads konst museum, 2008.
Nordiska Akvarellmuseet, (utst.kat./exh. cat.), (texter av/texts by: Bera Nordal & Frans-Josef Petersson), 2007.

www.astridsvangren.com