Åndehuller / Breathing holes. Ilulisatt Art Museum. Greenland. 2021

About the exhibition: “In the meeting between artists from Greenland and Denmark, we examine our own and others' identities and approaches to creating through hand and spirit. We are connected through needle and thread, through beads, fabric and fur - and by continuing ancient techniques interpreted through modern consciousness. Historically, artists have always come together to formulate new directions and trends in society. Right now, the whole world is in a big joint lockdown. Here, our theme of Breathing holes/Åndehuller gets a whole new actuality! What happens when one has to find peace in chaos, perhaps we are better abel to feel oneself when everything else is turned off? Through our works at exhibitions in the Greenlandic House in Aarhus in 2020 and at Ilulissat Art Museum in 2021, we invite the audience into our reflections on the theme shown through sewn works. ”

Participants: Marie J. Engelsvold (DK) / Anguteq Nikolaj Kristensen (GL) / Mette Kocmick (DK) / Najannguaq D. Lennert (GL) / Julie Bach (DK)

“Trinity”. 1.77 x 2.32 x 0,03 m.

The theme of the exhibition is Breathholes. A breathing space is for me a free space, a place where I can be myself, and feel alive. I love experimenting with materials, and playing with my sculptures in the woods and elsewhere. I often use the hexagon shape or the diamond shape in my art, as it is the basic shape in all living things. It carries an enormous life force that is exciting to explore. In a long process of exchanging shapes, colors and materials, a symmetry has emerged in Trinity, where there is movement, balance and contact with the life force. I have also been inspired by the many materials in the Greenlandic costumes, including pearls and sealskin, which in turn are mixed with wood, knitwear, yarn, ceramics, textiles, foam rubber and photos. The many layers in the composition of the Greenlandic costumes are reflected in the way the elements of the work hang on top of each other.

Sketches from the project to share with the other participants for inspiration.

Workshops:

Our exhibition group was making workshops for each other, sharing our work methods. These pictures is from my workshop which we did outside in the landscape of Ilulissat. I wanted to show how I play with my materials, which is a way to open up to new possibilities and joy.