Christine Ödlund

Gardens have more often than not inspired artistic creativity. A large part of Ödlund’s output literally has its roots in an allotment – a miniature garden. This small plot became a place for growing. Not just plants but ideas. The allotment has transformed into a green laboratory. Thoughts could root themselves. Impressions blossom. Seeds were sown and plants turned into art.

Many of the pigments in her watercolours, which often blossom into monumental formats, are from plants grown on her allotment.

With a soft, earthy palette, and accents picked out in black and metallic hues, Ödlund creates exquisite compositions on paper, where the figurative meets the abstract. Her interest in science, combined with esoteric knowledge, allows for surprising connections. Some works are reminiscent of old botanical illustrations. Others seem to suggest enigmatic landscapes, alchemical formula or simply random colour patterns.

Ödlund’s art builds on cross-pollinations, surprises and secrets. Sound and image, nature and culture, physics and metaphysics often interact in her complex installations. The works are independent yet seem to correspond to each other. A sensory impression is perceived and interpreted by other senses. The artist has painted pictures with light, played music for nettles and orchids, and listened to the voices of ferns. Ödlund’s paintings, sculptures and video works remind us that nature is cyclical.

The exhibition at The Nordic Watercolour Museum offers us the opportunity to reconsider our relationship with nature and plants and opens up a dialogue about the limits of what we see and experience.

Christine ÖdlundThis Garden and its Spirits

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