“I want to engage the viewer both intellectually and emotionally, and stimulate to motion both on a physical and a mental level”, Edith Lundbebrekke
All of Edith’s artistic desires are achieved through slats of wood contrasted with strips of colour, and an assiduous thought process. Yet what is it that merges these simple elements to create such mesmerising pieces?
As part of the NICE festival: Nordic Intercultural Creative Events the Whitworth is hosting the first solo show of accomplished Norwegian artist, Edith Lundebrekke. The exhibition at first glance seems lucid and simple, rectangular images varying in size, with simple patterns created from lines, nothing surprising, nothing new. Yet the works are strangely intriguing and despite each piece being very similar in form they manage to spark a very different emotional response. Primarily the colour draws your attention; a lucent yet understated shade of colour. On closer inspection there is a visual sense of movement from the images closely followed by a demanding emotional reaction to the images.
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The effect comes from the artist’s method of working with slats of wood of varying depths. Each placed equal distance apart and contrasted with strips of colour to create a moiré type effect. This effect occurs when two patterns are over-laid together and give an overall impression.
Edith’s architecturally crafted artwork employs the following visual methods: the depths of the wooden slats dictate shadows creating a sense of movement from different positions. The carefully thought-out underlining colour creates reference for the eye and harmonises the effect, overall creating mesmerising pieces that provoke an emotional response. Although simple in it’s method each piece requires a careful design to achieve the emotional effect.
Edith’s work lends itself aptly to public artwork. Uplifting and visually engaging the work finds a balance between understated and enigmatic. Edith has produced large-scale works for embassies, hospitals and schools including the recently built Norwegian Government Representational Building.
Although the exhibition displays an ample amount of works, the only large scale pieces exhibited are digitally displayed on a screen, and unfortunately do not convey the same emotional sense as the live works. Never the less the works are interesting and well worth a visit for any craft and design aficionado.
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Find out more on the Whitworth Gallery Website
The exhibition continues until 19th December 2010.
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