Design & Photography : Gilded Pear Gallery On the cover: Condense, pg 26-27
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February 28 - May 21, 2022| Reception: April 1, 2022
Parts of a whole. This is an idea that has always made sense to me: stars make up a galaxy, leaves nourish the tree, people give and take within a community. The idea of being part of something larger, is reassuring, and can be invigorating, and we see it in so much of the nature around us. I am drawn to the details, creating these smaller bits that then create the whole because, when all the elements come together, it’s truly remarkable. Especially if they can create an illusion of movement. From the microscopic shifts in our human bodies to the cosmic movement of a galaxy, the parts of the whole are always in motion. Achieving this illusion from numerous seemingly static objects has always been a driving force in my artwork.
With this recent work, however, I’ve also focused on exploring the perception of depth and layering, taking into consideration how the work changes depending on what is behind it, or not, as the case may be. Light and shadow and how these elements play off the colors, textures, and shapes within the finished piece are also part of my process. In addition, many of these pieces are a homage to my favorite abstract shapes and colors, which resulted in a more painterly approach to the construction and finished designs.
The artwork in this collection are my perception of color and composition of the natural world around me—some fantastic and some grounded. These pieces connect my curiosity to the fascinating universe around us.
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Studio images. Courtesy of the artist.
Kristina Fjellman is a visual artist and performer and is drawn to creative projects that will combine both of these passions. She has exhibited her sculpture in venues around the Midwest and Twin Cities and was a recipient of a Jerome Fiber Art Project Grant for 2010-2011 at the MN Textile Center. She is a graduate of the College of St. Catherine with a MAED in Art and Theater Education, is the co-founding member of The Winding Sheet Outfit, and an ensemble member of Sandbox Theatre. Recent projects include: The Tick Tock Shanty as part of 2022 Art Shanties with The Winding Sheet Outfit, and a group art exhibition for The MPLSART Sketchbook Project 2022 with Gamut Gallery March 18th - April 9th, 2022. Portrait of artist. Courtesy of the artist.
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1. Expand Steel wire, fabric, paper, thread 17” x 17” x 2”
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“It’s mostly fabric but I also use different papers Asian papers [that] are very thin and have a lot of great texture...
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...stuff at thrift stores like old silk scarves, and just any fabric or texture that speaks to me [will] find its way into the work.”
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Drifting Steel wire, fabric, paper, thread 24”x 24” x 3”
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Bouquet 1 Steel wire, fabric, paper, thread 17” x 17” x 3”
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Bouquet 2 Steel wire, fabric, paper, thread 14” x 16” x 3”
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Gravity Steel wire, fabric, paper, thread, monofilament 14” x 16” x 6”
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Glacial Steel wire, fabric, paper, thread 25” x 41” x 5”
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Vernal Steel wire, fabric. paper, thread 24” x 20” x 4”
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Gothic Steel wire, fabric. paper, thread, monofilament 26” x 18” x 3”
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Untitled (Color Wash) Steel wire, fabric, paper, thread, monofilament 24” x 24” x 3”
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“The contradiction between static imagery and movement [are] central to my compositions. By using sheer fabric and paper…[through the] interaction of the colors, textures, and shapes...I explore how light and shadow become part of that movement.”
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Palladium Steel wire, fabric, paper, thread, monofilament 18” x 26” x 12”
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Condense Steel wire, fabric. paper, thread 20” x 20” x 3”
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“The fabric creates an organic, somewhat simple abstraction of the original image or theme, while the bent wire relays a tension that cannot be duplicated on canvas.”
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Untitled (Scarlet Cloud) Steel wire, fabric, paper, thread, monofilament 26” x 48” x 24”
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