The hyper-decorative is particularly characteristic of Danish-Icelandic Sóley Ragnarsdóttir’s practice. In her first institutional solo exhibition, she presents a series of new works in the shape of paintings, sculptures, and two commissioned wallpapers altogether unfolding a marvelous and idiosyncratic symbiosis between materials, symbols, places, and stories.

With a sculptural approach to painting, Ragnarsdóttir colors and ornaments her works with synthetic as well as organic materials, mixing up acrylic and epoxy with shells, amber, and ocean-rounded pieces of glass. Referring to the British Arts & Crafts movement, that wanted to resurrect the aesthetic qualities of handicraft, Ragnarsdóttir insists on the validity and value of the decorative within the realm of contemporary art. The thousands of delicately executed brushstrokes, dots, and patterns, which repetitively fill every surface of the works, are also testament to an immense number of working hours and level of devotion that stand in stark contrast to the accelerating tempo of everyday life.

The talk is moderated by Overgaden’s Interim Curator Ida Schyum. It will be conducted in Danish. You are welcome to visit the two current exhibitions at O—Overgaden before and after the talk. Exhibitions at Overgaden are always free of charge, as is this event.