🎨 Julia Bondesson: Stay

"The material reminds me a lot of the light expression of drawing, vibrant with solid wooden shapes. The strength of the wood meets the fragility of the glass."

How does one encapsulate the sensations provoked by Julia Bondesson's universe? Is it a prelude, a threshold where the morbid meets the sublime? Inspired by the puppet theatre, her artistic style melds with the warmth of wood, evident from her studio set in a former carpenter’s workshop.

Bondesson shares, "I’m currently in a blocky phase, where everything feels big, voluminous, and lovely." Particularly fond of pine, she appreciates its scent and density, stating it's just the right level of hardness and weight.

At her upcoming exhibition, Stay, hosted by Belenius Gallery, Bondesson showcases a more abstract expression. Her distinctive technique, using an electric saw, results in a stripped-down aesthetic that contrasts yet intertwines with her previous haunting works. Recent pieces display working titles like Nest and Tulip, focusing on spontaneity and allowing chance to influence the final form. Some feature neon accents, intertwining the vibrancy of glass with solid wood, creating dynamic sculptures.

The title Stay reflects the struggle of stillness, turning stillness into an active state of being—each piece resonates in a meditative yet dynamic manner. Bondesson’s work often revisits recurring characters, like The Child, Mother, and The Guardian, a sculpture from her experience with the Beckers Art Award Exhibition. Visitors have often found The Guardian to possess an intense expression, evoking strong feelings.

"What determines a piece's completion?" she muses. It is typically when her dialogue with the material feels complete, often leading to future exhibitions where the surroundings and additional works join the conversation.

Bondesson's intricate past is layered with contrasts; a previous work featuring a table with small bones and body parts highlighted the tension between life and death. While others may perceive a morbid intrigue, her focus lies on the internal structures of the body, emphasizing energy and movement.

"In my creative process, I seek discovery, hoping to evoke a spectrum of emotions in the viewer, from the challenging to the empowering. The body's representation is universally relatable; for me, art serves as a conduit for emotions," she conveys.

Her installations, particularly the Eternal gestures, reflect a vibrant interplay of elements, merging art with performance in an exploration of the dynamic relationship between the living body and her sculptural creations.

Graduating from the Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm in 2011, Bondesson has since embraced various influences from her studies in hand puppetry across Asia, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary themes. Recognized with the Beckers artist grant in 2015, her works are well-represented in prestigious collections, including Moderna Museet.

🔗 Event Details

🗺️ Location: Ulrikagatan 13, 115 23 Stockholm, Sverige