Rhythmic, dancing bodies in motion. How do we capture speed within a single, frozen frame?
How can we deconstruct the body into abstract and figurative expressions—merging soft with firm—through an exploration of light and darkness?
How can we deconstruct the body into abstract and figurative expressions—merging soft with firm—through an exploration of light and darkness?
From the exhibition at PitStop Frysja – December '21 to December'22 Curated @bybjørkheim
Dancers
The series Dancers are a study of bodies in which flow, movement and emotions are explored through simple mediums like water, watercolour, ink and delicate pencil drawings. When the images are finished by hand, they are scanned in high resolution, cleaned up and prepared to give a pure and firm finish. The white is ultra-white, the black soft as velvet, with all nuances in between. Nothing is left to chance. The painted bodies are figurative though fragmented. They have speed and emotions, at the same time quietly melancholic and sometimes dreamy.
The series Dancers are a study of bodies in which flow, movement and emotions are explored through simple mediums like water, watercolour, ink and delicate pencil drawings. When the images are finished by hand, they are scanned in high resolution, cleaned up and prepared to give a pure and firm finish. The white is ultra-white, the black soft as velvet, with all nuances in between. Nothing is left to chance. The painted bodies are figurative though fragmented. They have speed and emotions, at the same time quietly melancholic and sometimes dreamy.
Inverted
Only two images from this series are presented. They are important as they counteract the pure black-and-white images. Contrast is everything - both in each individual work and in the exhibition as a whole. The insects are first drawn, then painted in watercolour, ink and gouache. Thereafter scanned and worked on digitally to give a new expression. The colours present as negatives, the colour black as velvety soft and complete. The artist is fascinated by insects: they are beautiful yet grotesque, delicate and mythical. Here, they are transformed to dark individuals and scaled to giants.
The images are printed digitally on Epson large format printer, on photorag 308g paper. They are signed and numbered in 15 or 35 copies. Matched white passepartout, glass and black frames. The expression is firm, pure and simple. All images are available for sale, prices from NOK 5000 – 14 000,- + 5% BKH
Karen Gjelsvik Hetland is an illustrator with a Master’s degree in Contemporary Art from Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London. Her work explores form and material through a blend of ink, soft watercolor, gouache, and delicate pencil drawing. She continues developing each piece digitally, experimenting with contrast, gradients, scale, and composition. Her process is driven by a fascination with the fluidity of ink and the spontaneous interactions that occur when materials meet.