STALKE UP NORTH

PRESS RELEASE

HOT ICELANDIC.....

Stalke Up North in Gilleleje, Denmark, are pleased to announce the opening of the group show HOT ICELANDIC..... with five distinctive Icelandic artists, who each will contribute with their view on the Icelandic nature/culture.

Stalke Gallery in Kirke Sonnerup had Einar Thorsteinn's first solo show in Denmark in 2005, Space Fang Space. Einar Thorsteinn works to unite architecture and art. He is a pioneer within alternative architecture, and has worked very closely with Olafur Eliasson the last ten years. HOT ICELANDIC..... will present new five-fold symmetry works of art.

Gudmundur Ingolfsson has for the last many years documented the nature and culture in and around Reykjavik, and it is within this field that a series of 5 works has been chosen. Jacob Lillemose has just finished the text for Ingolfsson's photo book, due to come out this fall.

Kristleifur Björnsson, who has just moved to Berlin, presents his latest work, 5 drawings titled Weekend Study. Nude studies traditionally salutes the female beauty, but in the hands of Kristleifur Björnsson, they also become a matter of fact and loving comment to the modern lonely Man. Kristleifur Björnsson has been invited to participate in the Group Show Street & Studio, An Urban History of Photography, at Tate Modern from May 22 to August 21, 2008. Kristleifur Björnsson also participates with his Yellow Dog and Parrot in the Group Show Gallery Poulsen visits Magasin, Dronningesalen, at Magasin du Nord, Copenhagen in May 2008.

Olafur Eliasson, who has just opened his Solo Show at MOMA in New York, participates with works from the Island Series, on loan from Stalke Collection.

Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson, known for the famous photo book Lost in Iceland and Icelanders from 2004, had his first exhibition at Gallery Kambur in Iceland last year with new photos. They are taken from a height of 50-100 meters above the Icelandic landscape, where the motif is being explored and challenged from new angles - where the various elements of Nature meet each other.

We welcome you to the opening on Saturday 3. May from 13-17.

Stalke Gallery in Kirke Sonnerup has an opening on Saturday 10. May from 13-17 with 3 solo shows. In Front Space is Kaj Nyborg, Susanne Eybl in Back Space and Søren Dahlgaard in Video Space. All are welcome!

Icelanders Take Over Gallery in Gilleleje

Stalke Gallery Up North wants to be "lively and noisy."

Stalke Gallery Up North wants to be “lively and noisy”

GILLELEJE: A big yellow Lego dog peers out through the glass door. Behind the plants, a cheerful brown Labrador runs around and greets visitors. The same warm welcome is extended by Stalke Up North’s owner, Camilla Rohde Madsen, elegantly dressed in a modern turban and cherry-red lipstick.

“Stalke Gallery Up North is an offshoot of the larger Stalke Gallery, which is based in Kirke Sonnerup. This time, we’re presenting five prominent Icelandic artists, including Kristleifur Björnsson.”

Camilla Rohde Madsen points out a large sculpture. The most provocative work features something exclusive: mint-green lingerie. A bra and panties are arranged on a massive, open surface. There are no human figures in the image. Instead, the artist focuses on minimalistic portraits of a woman.

“Nude sketches, where faces and sexual organs are erased.”

“The drawings are based on photographs and pornographic images,” the gallery owner explains. “By working with this imagery, the artist aims to present the model in a state of innocence. And the work speaks about modern man's loneliness and sorrow.”

What is the message?

Camilla Rohde Madsen is eager to explain the purpose behind the art.

“I believe that art should be accessible to everyone. A gallery shouldn’t just be a museum-like place where visitors walk around passively and wonder what they’re looking at. Instead, they should be asking themselves: What is this really about? To me, it’s important to take the audience seriously. Things shouldn’t be over-explained, but I try to provide enough insight to help people along the way.”

The gallery owner has previously worked as a guide at the National Gallery of Denmark.

“It’s still a great pleasure for me to create engaging narratives through exhibitions. Just as I read stories to my children, I enjoy crafting stories through art.”

Slowing down doesn’t seem to be in the nature of the 37-year-old gallery owner, who grew up in Western Jutland and has been closely involved in the art world for years.

“I studied economics for three years. Alongside my studies, I worked for Sam Jedig at Stalke Gallery. It became clear to me that my heart belonged to art. Together with my husband and our eldest child, I moved to London in 2000. When we moved back, Gilleleje stood out to me. Compared to a big city like London, this town offers a unique sense of freedom and freshness.”

A Bird’s-Eye Perspective

We’re flying high above the gallery for the next artist: Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson, known for the photo book Lost in Iceland. Sigurgeir has flown across Iceland, capturing images from heights of 50 to 100 meters, showcasing the landscape’s fantastic patterns.

Further along the walls, Guðmundur Ingólfsson presents photos where Icelandic nature meets man-made objects in dramatic contrast. Olafur Eliasson, who recently opened his solo exhibition at MoMA in New York, contributes with works from his Island Series. Einar Thorsteinn also presents his sculptures, merging art with alternative architecture.

“Icelanders have something special to offer. Perhaps it’s because they’re incredibly self-reliant,” says Camilla Rohde Madsen. “The Icelandic artists are curious and open to the world. They’re adventurous.”

Everyone is Welcome

“Lively and noisy” is how Camilla Rohde Madsen describes her gallery.

“I hope many different people will visit us. Children are welcome too—they often notice things that adults overlook, opening up new perspectives. We’re open all year, but visitors are encouraged to call ahead so I can open the gallery for them.”

Read more about the artists at www.stalke.dk.