Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway
story,” says Jensen. “I’m completely in my own world when I work on a piece – you can’t talk to me and when I’m done I’m exhausted.”
Butterfly Spirit Although Jensen’s work is distinguished by a striking raw yet fragile beauty, her purpose as an artist is not only to please the eye. Having created numerous works for different public institutions, including several mental health centres, Jensen recently teamed up with Norwegian singer Sissel Gjerland Ekra to create Butterfly Spirit, an exceptional art performance exploring the many serious issues young people face today. “Inspired by our encounters with young people, Sissel and I had been working on the same theme – how many young people struggle to cope with issues such as anxiety, insecurity and suicidal thoughts – in each our own medium. Nothing is more sad than seeing a young person who can’t find a purpose in life,” says Jensen. “The performance is a new way of communicating and sharing information about mental health. We hope that it may help break down barriers and prejudice that prevents openness,
and give those who need it a way of talking about their issues.” The artwork’s initial performance in Kongsberg was watched by Mental Helse Ungdom, a national mental health organisation, which was so impressed by its potential that it applied for state funding to take the performance into Norwegian schools.
A never-ending drive As the mother of three grown-up daughters, aged 19, 21 and 23, Jensen has been combining her passion for art with mother-hood ever since the beginning. She never found that the two different roles were detrimental to each other – on the contrary. “When they were small, I used to give the girls a piece of clay and they would play alongside me while I worked. To me it’s about having the energy and joy to do both,” she explains. Still, when asked if she is ever afraid of losing this exceptional drive to create, she replies without a moment’s hesitation: “Yes! I’m terrified of losing that spark, because that’s what drives you as
an artist. But at the same time, I have ideas for at least two years of production, so I don’t see that happening any time soon. As long as I take care of myself and my loved ones, I think the passion and joy in creating will be there.” More about Aino Jensen and her work Aino Jensen creates her work in a 100-square-metre workshop in Kongsberg. She has three computerised ovens to control the complicated process required for working with window glass. The Danish-Norwegian artist has done about 50 exhibitions all over Norway, of which 26 were solo exhibitions. She has also created more than 20 individual works for private and public institutions, including the Prime Minister’s office. Her largest work is a 14-metre-tall column that describes the life cycle from beginning to end.
For more information, please visit: www.aino-jensen.no. Or Facebook: Glasskunstner Aino Jensen
Aino Jensen’s human body sculptures are the result of an intense month-long process, which starts with finding the right model.
Issue 100 | May 2017 | 111