Astri Swendsrud

Nightmare 2008
30”x38” ink and graphite on paper

Astri Swendsrud works at finding an in-between space or in-between time. She’s interested in these moments where action or vision is temporarily suspended, but in doing so hopefully opens up a variety of unexpected possibilities. With her “Nightmare” installation (partly shown above), Astri was thinking about the space beneath a bed, and the potent potential for imagination it holds.

Her ”Mirror/Keyhole” drawings more directly take on ideas of in-between space, or the effect of mise en abyme. Astri became interested in the way that the forms of the mirror and keyhole share visual similarities, but relate to the space of the surface in different ways- the mirror reflecting the exterior world back onto itself, and the keyhole allowing access inward. In creating the series of drawings using different combinations of graphite, ink, colored pencil, and collage, she tried to vary the visual and formal qualities to create constantly shifting surfaces.

Mirror/Keyhole (you don’t see, now see! you, you see, you have seen, you will have seen, you already saw) 2008-2010
Set of 28 drawings, 11″x14″ each
Ink, graphite, colored pencil, masking tape and electrical tape on paper

Astri’s fiery post-party scenes are suspensions of the strange, impossible moment spanning both celebration and destruction. As time goes by, left balloons will deflate, and create a very slow shower of confetti. Here actual movement and slowly changing natures are combined in her work.

Fire 2 2009
ink & graphite on paper; 40″x50″

And last but not least, I was fortunate to discover Astri’s work a week before she opens a New York solo show!

Astri Swendsrud: Entr’acte
Curated by Samuel W. Kho
April 9-May 29, 2010
Opening Reception Friday, April 9, 7-9pm

All Things Project
269 Bleeker Street, New York, NY 10014

-Jess