The exhibition celebrates a diverse selection of progressive techniques and concepts, with the common goal of using the same material: metal. Artists look at their metalwork from several perspectives, which inspires them to explore the fleeting and ephemeral, as well as the basic elements and connections of life. They contrast the ironic and the commercial with the sincere and the sacred, conveying power through limitation while opening up the discourse of contemporary metalwork.
The curator of the exhibition, Urmo Teekivi: “We are talking about signs of memories, textures and dreams. We reflect on memories, silence, fantasy, simplicity, beauty and material fragility, the changing world and the impermanence of mind and body. We combine metal work with weaving.”
Frances Alexandra Clifford (b. 1999, UK) graduated from the University of Gothenburg with a master’s degree in applied art and design, specialising in metal art, in 2022, following her BA with First Class Honours from the Hereford College of Arts, an artist blacksmithing programme. Her work has been exhibited internationally and has been given prestigious scholarships. She also holds lectures and workshops in Sweden and internationally.
Carina Fogde (b. 1960, Sweden) is an artist working intuitively and symbolically with painting, sculpture, photography, graphics and mixed media. She graduated from the University of Gothenburg with a degree in metal art (MFA 2022 and BA 2020). Carina has had numerous group and solo exhibitions in galleries, museums and festivals around the world, as well as receiving various awards and scholarships.
Daniel Freyne (b. 1994, Scotland) is a student in the master’s programme in metal art at the University of Gothenburg (BA 2020) and originally trained as a blacksmith; his work is a modern representation of a timeless craft. Daniel is one of the founders of the metal art collective “SCALE”, has participated in several exhibitions and recently received the prestigious QEST (The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust) scholarship.
Chrisse Kuisma Karlsson (b. 1978, Sweden) works mainly three-dimensionally in wood and metal. She studies heritage, environment, identity, chemicals and genetics. Chrisse has a master’s degree in automation and mechatronics from the Chalmers University of Technology and is currently doing her second master’s degree in metal art at the University of Gothenburg.
Myrkra Staðr (b. 1993, France) is a jewellery artist whose work has a sense of rebirth. It’s essence is the truth about finding inner strength when hope is lost and darkness takes over. Hence there is a desire to explore one’s roots, culture and ancient practices. Following the cycle of the seasons, Myrkra Staðr aims to explore ancient traditions in a modern perspective: understanding the self through connection.
Daniel Strandow (b. 1979, Sweden) in 2019 earned a bachelor’s degree in metal art from the University of Gothenburg, and in 2022 a master’s degree there. His works tend to be closer to the figurative than the abstract. He works with materials from small steel, bronze, leather and other materials to heavy objects. At heart, he is a scientist and educator, but his methods have shifted towards more practical research.
Urmo Teekivi (b. 1976, Estonia) graduated from the Sculpture Department of the Pallas University of Applied Sciences (2021) and is currently a student in the master’s programme in metal art at the University of Gothenburg. He has a dedicated and distinctive approach to the visual arts, which has been greatly influenced by his years of work in the installation and preparation of art exhibitions. He has been awarded the Wiiralt (2021) and Pallas (2020) scholarships.
The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and Göteborgs Slöjdförening.
The curator of the exhibition is Urmo Teekivi.
