ida kvetny

IDA KVETNY

GALLERI CHRISTOFFER EGELUNDBREDGADE 75DK-1260 COPENHAGEN KDENMARK+45 [email protected]

IDA KVETNYTransit, 2009Acrylic on canvas, 195x222 cm


IDA KVETNYIt takes Two, 2010Plaster and paint, H: 22 cm


Ida Kvetny’s work can primarily be described as an intenseimpact of energy; paintings exploding in form andcolor, sculptures that continually reveal new facets, andprojections that move in loops.It is never quiet in the works of Ida Kvetny. On the contrary,they shout out loud and seem to attract attention inany room. If they were a person one would say that shecame across loud and clear. That she spoke a fantasticimagery language and could tell tales of strange andmagic figures. It is, however, up to the observer alone todecipher where the stories begin and where they end.There is no guiding or natural narrative trail in Kvetny’sworks, and often the titles are merely vague hints ofwhat is going on in the piece.Green Dream is a black and white drawing where fancyshapes, body parts and ornaments are entangled in afine arrangement, a lot like filigree. Despite the title, thecolor green appears nowhere in the work, but one understandshow the color green acts as a dream contrastingthe physical black and white. Imagination is alwaysters and figures set on each canvas. Perhaps it is not soimportant what the motif contains or is made of? Moreimportant is the fact, that the detailed composition becomesa powerful impact of energy that reaches out ofeach work like a turned on television in a dark room.Kvetny is inspired by the computer games she playedas a child. By watching her drawings and paintings longenough, it virtually feels like being led to the “next level”.

It works as a limbo with no start or ending, but whichinvolves the viewer in a lavish visual landscape thatleads into new areas and opens for new understandings.Perhaps this is how visual arts respond to literature’sstream of consciousness? It is the journey of the subjectand not the details of the motif that is in focus. It is as ifthe artist places the viewer in a riddle with clues in alldirections, revealing no apparent meaning and leadingeverywhere.Entering the works of Ida Kvetny is similar to enteringa party where it takes a drink or two to get in the rightmood and some time to get acquainted with the otherguests. In front of the works the “champagne effect” occursby itself, welcoming the observer into a banquet offantasy creatures, where anything goes and the host inviteseverybody to slip into parallel worlds.Naturally, the works can be seen in many different ways.The possibilities are endless and it is up to the personwho sees them.in play in Kvetny’s works. Usually illustrated througharrays of colors, whether it is a small drawing as PinkParty or a large painting as The Meeting.Revealing only fragments of the story through the title,implies that it is up to the viewer to detect and decodethis visual universe being both abstract and figurative.One might get the idea that the titles are meant asspeech bubbles as used in comic books; content bearing,but detached from what holds the eye.

What the eye sees is often various fantastic shapesin vivid colors using most of the color scale. They areplaced close and become an entity as a painting and itwould take endless hours to count the many charac-One of the most significant features of the pieces byKvetny, is the endless source of energy that they hold.Although they remain the same, it is as if they constantlychange their form, and we continue to see new opportunitiesin the motifs. It is as if there is a metamorphosiswithin the works – a change or decay, which is about tohappen.This is perhaps where the answer to the initial questionis found: There is no clear answer, because the motivesnever can be captured. It is difficult to specify what apiece by Ida Kvetny shows. But if one closes the eyesafter having a Kvetny piece on his retina, it will continueto tone up as silhouettes through the closed eyelids. Tohave a picture of Ida Kvetny for the inner eye causes themotif to change in one’s consciousness, as a transformationof images that continues to reshape and recompose.

IDA KVETNY2faced, 2010Acrylic on canvas, 120x120 cm


IDA KVETNYFaun & Nymfe, 2008Acrylic on canvas, 195x170 cm


IDA KVETNYLife Goes On, 2010Acrylic on canvas, 100x100 cm


IDA KVETNYInsideOut, 2010Acrylic, gel-pen, pastel on paper, 30x30 cm, Framed


IDA KVETNYOrange is..., 2010Acrylic, gel-pen, pastel on paper, 30x30 cm, Framed


IDA KVETNYPurple Passing, 2009Mixed media on canvas, 150x160 cm.


IDA KVETNYPurple Face Dream, 2010Acrylic on canvas, 90x125 cm


IDA KVETNYInstallation view


IDA KVETNYWord truncks, 2007Acrylic on canvas, 200x140 cm


IDA KVETNYInstallation view from Til Vægs på Charlottenborg


IDA KVETNYRelief, 2008Acrylic on canvas, 33,5x44,5x7 cm


IDA KVETNYStar Stage, 2008Painted plaster and MDF, 70x70x70 cm


IDA KVETNYListent2<3, 2010Acrylic on canvas, 125x187 cm


IDA KVETNYUntitled, 2011Acrylic, gel-pen, pastel on paper, 30x30 cm, Framed


IDA KvETNy

Born 1980, Odense, DenmarkLives and works in Copenhagen Denmark

Education:

2007MFA Central Saint Martins College, London, UK

2004-2006BA, Drawing & Painting, Edinburgh College of Art, UK

2005 yALE University, Norfolk Summer Program, Connecticut, USA

2002-2003 The Funen Academy of Fine Arts, Odense, Denmark

Selected Exhibtions:

2011Holstebro Museum of Art, Holstebro, Denmark (upcoming)In Case We Don’t Die III, Helene Nyborg Contemporary, Copenhagen (upcoming)Painterly Delight, ystad Museum of Art, SwedenCharlotte Fogh Contemporary, Aarhus, DenmarkCeiling Decoration, Docken, Copenhagen

2010En Face Helene Nyborg Contemporary, CopenhagenA Flag for every Occasion Wonderland Art Space, CopenhagenIn Case we don’t die vegas Gallery, London, UKIn Case we don’t die Chausseestrasse, Berlin MitteFive years after The Purple Pineapple Project, Los Angeles, USOne Night stand (a back alley quicky) Raid Projects, USThe HELLO show Helene Nyborg Contemporary, Copenhagen, DenmarkPainterly Delight Kunst Centret Silkeborg Bad, Denmark (travels to ystad Museum of Art, Swe-den, 2011)

The Mentor Show Larmgalleri, Copenhagen, DenmarkSolo Charlotte Fogh Contemporary, Aarhus, Denmark2009Mask Galleri Mikael Andersen, Copenhagen, Denmarkvenner, Kammerater, Kolleger Lejre, DenmarkON PAPER Filosofgangen, Odense, DenmarkThe Party Beaver Projects, DenmarkHuman Nature Charlotte Fogh Contemporary, Aarhus, DenmarkTil vægs Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Copenhagen, Denmark

2008Blaze Kirkhoff, Copenhagen, DenmarkFunk Charlotte Fogh Contemporary, Aarhus, Denmark Grand Opening Galerie Wolfsen, Aalborg, DenmarkSovereign European Art Prize Somerset House, London, UKArt auctionand exhibition supporting children in Ethiopia, ARoS, Aarhus, DenmarkRebranding X-MAS Galleri Fedt, Copenhagen, Denmark

2007PT07 Janusbygningen, Tistrup, DenmarkEyes on the Prize Bendixen Contemporary Art, Copenhagen, DenmarkMad Love -young Art in Danish Private Collections ARKEN Museum of Modern Art, Ishøj, Den-markDegree Show Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design, London, UKComix! Brandts Museum of Art, Odense, DenmarkGroup exhibition at the Museum of Art, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

2006Chain, barrel, ladder, jar Kirkhoff, Copenhagen, DenmarkRSA Student Exhibition Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, UKFemale Fantasy Laboratorium, Copenhagen, DenmarkDegree show Edinburgh College of Art, UK

2005January exhibition Edinburgh College of Art, UKAbsolute Summer Show Kirkhoff, Copenhagen, DenmarkTotal Kunst Edinburgh, UK2004

Annual exhibition Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, UKGroup Show Koh-i-noor, Copenhagen, DenmarkStudent exhibition The Funen Academy of Fine Arts, Odense, DenmarkThe Spring Exhibition Charlottenborg, Copenhagen, Denmark

2003Cillekrokodille-ninja-laksefrø-heidiho Odense, DK.Artists’ Fall Exhibition Den Fri, Copenhagen, DK.Student exhibition The Funen Academy of Fine Arts, Odense, DKThe Spring Exhibition Charlottenborg, Copenhagen, DKAnimal Planet Exhibition space valdemarsgade, Copenhagen, DK

Prizes/Awards:

2009Work selected by Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd (The Danish youth Council) to be given as price for the youth city of the year

2008Shortlisted for the British Sovereign Art Prize by jury: Sir Peter Blake, Tom Marlow (White Cube), Jarvis Cocker (Pulp), Rachel Campbell-Johnstan (art critic, The Times), Philly Adams (Saatchi Gallery), Alan yentop (BBC television)

2007young Artist of the year Award, Ledernes Hovedorganisation (Danish Leaders’ Organisation)

2006Royal Scottish Academy painters prizeThe Maclaine Medal, Scottish International Education Trust, UK

2005Whaleys Prize, January exhibition, Edinburgh College of Art, UKJohn Murray Thomson Award for ‘a work by a promising young painter’, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, UK

Grants/residencies:

2010

Artist residency in L.A., USA

2009Travel grant from the Danish Art Foundation

2005Ellen Battell Stoeckel Fellowship Grant. yale University, Norfolk Summer School of Art, USA

2004Student Travel Grant, The New Carlsberg Foundation, The Funen Academy of Fine Arts, Den-markGrant from the Toyota Foundation, Denmark

Teaching/lectures:

2009Artist talk/group critiques, The Funen Academy of Fine Arts, Denmark: Mar.

2008Artist lecture. vera Art School, Copenhagen, Denmark: Oct.

2010Artist talk and a 1 week workshop, Ærø Kunsthøjskole: Aug.

Commissions:

2007Site specific work, Nykredit, Kalvebod Brygge, Copenhagen, Denmark

2006Mural, youth Center, Karlebo, Denmark

Catalogues/books:

vITARAP Granat, 2009Erkendelsens Art Aben Maler Publications, 2009A Slightly More Sophisticated Publication Cover/Malling Publications, 2009Til vægs Kunsthal Charlottenborg. Fälth & Hässel, 2009

Comix! Kunsthal Brandts, 2007Chain, barrel, ladder, jar Kirkhoff. Centertryk A/S, 2006

Press:

Ingen udfordring er for stor Christina Lund Madsen, Børsen magasin #3 26 marts 2009Kunsterne Maler Direkte på væggen på Charlottenborg Ditte Giese, Politiken: January 2009I en verden fuld af billeder Katrine Sekjær, Information: January 2009Fabulerende farveeksplosioner på Galleri Kirkhoff Maria Wernberg, Bryggebladet: April 2008Junglerytmer Tom Jørgensen, Kunstavisen 03, 2008Hvisken og råb Torben Weirup, Berlingske Tidende: March 2008Jeg er et hurtigt menneske Lea Kyndrup, Information.dk: April 2008KINKy#24 KULTURO. Mar 2007Kvetnys kunst kræver køkultur Carla Strube, Eurowoman: November 2007Eventyr på fodrejse Torben Weirup, Berlingske Tidende: November 2007Hun er på næste niveau Janus Flach Madsen, Berlingske Tidende: November 2007Kulturpris til fynsk billedkunstner Fyns Amts Avis: September 2007Kunsten sat i scene Mette Sandbye, Weekendavisen: February 2006Snørklede fantasier på papir Anne Ringgaard, Politiken I Byen: March 2006Anmeldere anbefaler Bente Scavenius, Børsen: March 2006Anmeldelse af udstilling Peter Michael Hornung, Politiken I Byen: March 2006Flying Colours for Flights of Fancy Scotland on Sunday: March 2006Den ægte vare Tom Jørgensen, Kunstavisen: Mar.-Apr. 2006Ung dansk kunst hitter Roberto Zacharias, Fyns Stiftstidende: 3. May 2006Bud på ny dansk kunst Mette Sandbye, Information: 2006Da kvinderne tog penslen i den anden hånd Maria Kjær Themsen, Cover: May 2006Talentfuld 25-årig på nyt galleri Anne Østbygård, Bryggebladet: March 2006

Artists Statement:The abundance of shape and color in Ida Kvetny’s works may seem abstract at the first glance. Looking closer you will find a vividly detailed multitude of strange and magic figures all with their own story to tell. The wide variety of painting techniques and the seemingly limitless sources of inspiration such as old school video games and oriental carpets all create a psychedelic effect in the pieces.The dreamlike universe of Kvetny’s works have no obvious beginning nor end. It is up to the viewer to decipher the simultaneously abstract and figurative landscapes. The works constantly reveal something new exploding with intense color and form like an endless flow of energy.

ida kvetny

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