UKENS BILDE / PIC OF THE WEEK
NKD can proudly present the pic of the week by Monica Winther. NKD have had the privilege of having Monica as artist-in-residence for a couple of times in the past too. First time, back in 2011 when she was invited by NKD and Johannes Høie to take part in a wall drawing project called “Heavy Trippin” which took place during a four-week session in the NKD studios. Secondly, some years later she was invited for a regular independent stay, based on the NKD open call. This third time we had the possibility to offer her a month stay due to a cancellation. I have had the pleasure to follow Monicas work over time, both her painterly activity, performative actions in Mom & Jerry (Monica Winther and Kjersti Vetterstad), and her sound performances in the group Myrmalm. In addition to her extensively and diverse artistic practice, Monica is a part time teacher as well, at the Strykejernet art school in Oslo.
Monica’s art is defined by a highly personal and expressive handling with different topics and alter egos she takes on in her activity. Sometimes pushing herself to the edge of psychological, and physical collapse, sometimes highly provocative in the cultural and political realm, exposing herself to potential violence and threats. Her voice is not only heard in the gallery, transformed into expressive and poetic images, or installations and performances, but also directly to the public from a microphone, you fear will explode in her face by the dense and concentered sound waves of energy she jets into it. Summing up Monica’s versatile art practice is not quickly done, but maybe two words: “NO FILTER” can point in a direction as a common denominator.
Arild H Eriksen
PACTION-DRAWING
Paction-drawing is a performative drawing and painting project that I have been working on for several years. Paction-drawing is a fusion between the words passion and action, where the drawn or painted line becomes an extension of feelings, energies and impressions.
I look inward when I draw, to find a form of “self-expression” to offer my individual voice to a world I perceive as both unstable and hostile, beautiful and horrid. A subjective search for a personal and emotional truth. An abstract impression in time and space.
When I draw these drawings, I try to go into a trance-like state. My eyes are often closed. Each drawing is inspired by music, either from a song playing on a sound system, or as an interaction with musicians playing live. To avoid controlling the line other than through the rhythmic guidance of the music, I sometimes use 6-12 pencils or markers at the same time, one between each finger. Sometimes I let the body transfer its own energy, without accompanying music, where the line becomes the beat filling the room, as if the line becomes a direct transfer of the subconscious. The project is constantly evolving into new methods and procedures for drawing.
Monica Winther
see more at Instagram: @mooonicawinther