NORWAY
Disconsolate
Words by Hanne Margaretha Biedilæ
Janurary 2022
Through the pandemic, I have felt many different emotions. It has been frightening to see how Italy in particular was attacked by the pandemic. The first pictures from there are reminiscent of pictures from World War II. Similar images and experiences have taken place all over the world. The experience that the system fails when you need it most. It has also been good to see all the dedicated health workers who have worked hard. I myself have alternated between working in my studio/workshop and working as a nurse in a psychiatric security department. As the pandemic drew to a close and Omicron proved to be even more aggressive and contagious, I felt discouraged and feared that the world would not open its borders again. In this painting, I have collected all the feelings both from myself, and feelings and thoughts that others have told me.
Hanne Margaretha Biedilæ, Disconsolate, Acrylic on canvas, 55 x 46 cm, 2022.
"My artworks are influenced by the complex relationship between humans and the surrounding world. I am fascinated by emotions and use my inner voice to uphold a social and universal consciousness. I capture these emotions and thoughts through ceramic sculptures, objects, drawings and paintings. A main concept that I approach in my artworks is the feminine universe. I explore the definition of femininity and the surrounding expectation to the «eternal feminine- eternal youth». I also explore the relationship between men and women in society to promote equality and empower women. My paintings are often colorful with expressive or powerful brushstrokes. My ceramics work are often without glaze, minimalistic glazed or with acrylic painting, stains or organic medium. I use different clay and burning temperature in my ceramic works and often coarse cotton canvas or linen canvas when I paint."
- Hanne Margaretha Biedilæ
About The Artist
Hanne Margaretha Biedilæ is a Norwegian ceramic and visual artist based in Fredrikstad, Norway. She is educated in Denmark and Norway. Her works has a wide range and includes ceramic sculptures, objects, installations, paintings on canvas or paper from small to large sizes and works on large canvas in mixed media technique. She uses social contexts as inspiration for her works of art and the expression can be both figurative and abstract. Hanne has worked in her own workshop/studio and run different galleries alone and in multiple art collectives since 2006. She has curated exhibitions for other artists and herself, and been a member of the exhibition committee of various art societies in Norway. Hanne hold interactive art courses for public services, private companies and private individuals in techniques as ceramics, painting and drawing.