THOLEN versus ICELAND.
Gestalistamaður júlímánaðar Elleke van Gorsel, opnar sýningu sína í Deiglunni þriðjudaginn 16. ágúst kl. 18.00.
Sýningi er opin 16. og 17. ágúst frá 6 til 9 e.h. báða dagana. Listamannaspjall verður þann 17. kl 8.30.
Um verkefnið (enska)
THOLEN versus ICELAND. (a presentation of work in the making)
Artist: Elleke van Gorsel. Country: The Netherlands
Two different islands, two different origins, two different floras, two different coasts/beaches and two different maritime species. The island where I have been born THOLEN in the Netherlands, what in the 12th century raised from muddy conditions and clay, versus the 20 million years ago out of volcanic eruptions created island ICELAND.
Last year I started this project in Tholen, which is not presented here. Last month, as artist in residency at SIM Seljavegur, I did visual research at several beaches in Reykjavik, and the native Icelandic plants section in the botanical garden in Reykjavik. And I did research in the Library of the University Reykjavik. This month I am continuing the research in situ here in Akureyri, at the coasts/beaches, and more inlands. I also started with research at the botanical garden here, at the Iceland section. That I have to continue.
At the end, after more research at Tholen, I will make a book with mostly pictures about species in nature. With texts in Dutch, Icelandic and English.
What to see at my OPEN STUDIO at Gilfélagið Deiglan: pictures that I made with macro lenses about the specific Icelandic flora and maritime species. It’s not a registration of nature sec, but abstracted pictures. I added my reflections on some pictures itself, or at completing sheets with mixed media like water coloring, pastels, oil paint sticks, inks, embroidery, etc. Those additions are to complete the image, or as a kind of reflection/association on the sort of patterns on some images.
After years of working with 3D materials and working on the computer, I wanted to take the freedom to rediscover and enjoy again to play freely with drawing/painting/ free embroidery, etc. The core of my visual 2/3D work is related to my private personal history, and to the big issues nowadays in the world around us.
Since my early childhood where I grew up at a farm, I study, admire and respect nature with all the floral and animal creatures. Blessed to have a small city-garden, I can enjoy, grow plants and help extend nature in my neighborhood.
Things in nature are changing. Our behavior has triggered climate change. Will we continue to act the same as usual, or are we willing to change our behavior so that nature can restore and become well again? Things to think about, and eventually to adjust our behavior.
For now a very warm welcome in the Gilfélagið Deiglan exhibition room to enjoy this
part of my Icelandic work. It is just a moment in the proces of creation.
