Linn Fernström - Viewers

Galerie Forsblom January 13 - February 5, 2012
Opening Reception on January 12, 2012 from 5 to 7 pm

Linn Fernström’s (b.1974) exhibition “Viewers” at Galerie Forsblom shows works in which the viewer becomes the object itself. In her works Fernström often paints her own image which challenges the understanding of who actually represent the object and subject. The viewer’s – i.e. ours and Fernström’s – reality becomes a moment of association, in which the subjective reality materialises as a painted reality and an object in front of our eyes.

The exhibition “Viewers” shows works that combine oil painting and drawing: there is a connection between the painting and the drawing; yet these layers are also separated. The painting, the drawing and the viewer form a three dimensional unity in which the independent parties aim but fail to grasp each other in order to communicate. The physical impossibilities make these parties observers of each other’s realities; the reality behind each dimension is sensed but not haptic or fully comprehensible. The interfaces become significant where the alien reality retains its mystery.

Fernström's large canvases are magically realistic; the works can be placed somewhere in the landscape between dream and reality, where the definitions of time and place become obscured. Her realistically depicted human and animal shapes melt into the seemingly idyllic scenes, creating a feel of conflict. Her works are neither frightening nor do they seem entirely safe either. Fernström’s expression is to a large extent defined by her intuition as she allows the subconsciousness to be transferred by the brush and pen onto the canvas.

Linn Fernström is one of the most renowned contemporary Swedish artists and the Viewers exhibition at Galerie Forsblom is her first solo exhibition in Finland. The artist was born in Örebro, Sweden and graduated from The Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm. Fernström had her debut in 1999 after which she’s held a number of solo exhibitions in Sweden. In addition she’s taken part of some group exhibitions in China and Italy. Her works can be found in collections belonging to Moderna Museet in Stockholm, Malmö Art Museum, Linköping Art Museum and Bonniers as well as numerous private owners. The artist lives and works in Stockholm, Sweden and New York, USA.