In this exhibition Axén have materialized and investigated the meme (Meme - something that achieves great popularity and recognition in a short time only through the Internet) "The Feminine Urge To…." The New York Times describes the phenomenon like this:
”The phrase is ostensibly about desire, but it is often followed by a negative personality trait or habit, gender stereotype or a position on a social issue. It may also precede a highly specifik fantasy. Meme makers have used the format both satirically and earnestly, but most often to poke fun at their own desires and tendencies.”
Through the textile craft techniques of weaving, patchwork, quilting and embroidery, Axén have tried to understand and materialized why women often make themselves smaller in the form of my own take on the meme - ”The Feminine Urge To Feel Small"
"I can see that women, consciously and unconsciously, make themselves smaller, e.g. not taking place in conversations or wearing clothes that are several sizes too big (for example, you can look at memes that circulated in 2020 on the Internet, especially on the platform TikTok, that the artist Adriana Grande often wore oversized sweatshirts that covered her hands to look small and cute). My goal with this upcoming exhibition is to approach this issue with humor through the textile art" - Lovisa Axén
”The phrase is ostensibly about desire, but it is often followed by a negative personality trait or habit, gender stereotype or a position on a social issue. It may also precede a highly specifik fantasy. Meme makers have used the format both satirically and earnestly, but most often to poke fun at their own desires and tendencies.”
Through the textile craft techniques of weaving, patchwork, quilting and embroidery, Axén have tried to understand and materialized why women often make themselves smaller in the form of my own take on the meme - ”The Feminine Urge To Feel Small"
"I can see that women, consciously and unconsciously, make themselves smaller, e.g. not taking place in conversations or wearing clothes that are several sizes too big (for example, you can look at memes that circulated in 2020 on the Internet, especially on the platform TikTok, that the artist Adriana Grande often wore oversized sweatshirts that covered her hands to look small and cute). My goal with this upcoming exhibition is to approach this issue with humor through the textile art" - Lovisa Axén
Artwork: CLOSE TO YOU
Handwoven on a Digital TC2 loom in linen, cotton, wool, and mohair.
CLOSE TO YOU is a textile artwork that interprets the experience of being stuck in a negative loop through the video game The Sims and digital TC2 weaving. In the artwork, I created a sim character in the game where I chose not to fulfill any of her wishes, resulting in her being very unhappy.
The Sims is a video game where players can create their own simulated people, known as "sims," and control their lives by choosing their personalities, careers, relationships, and homes.
I created the artwork by taking screenshots of my sim character in the game, processing them in an image editing program, and layering them with weave patterns that I then transferred to a TC2 loom and wove with wool, cotton, and mohair.
CLOSE TO YOU and the artwork FIRBY NERVS (which can be seen further down on the page) are artworks created with the same theme and craft technique.
CLOSE TO YOU is a textile artwork that interprets the experience of being stuck in a negative loop through the video game The Sims and digital TC2 weaving. In the artwork, I created a sim character in the game where I chose not to fulfill any of her wishes, resulting in her being very unhappy.
The Sims is a video game where players can create their own simulated people, known as "sims," and control their lives by choosing their personalities, careers, relationships, and homes.
I created the artwork by taking screenshots of my sim character in the game, processing them in an image editing program, and layering them with weave patterns that I then transferred to a TC2 loom and wove with wool, cotton, and mohair.
CLOSE TO YOU and the artwork FIRBY NERVS (which can be seen further down on the page) are artworks created with the same theme and craft technique.
Artwork: EN KR PANT
"En kr pant" is a textile sculpture series that explores the diverse meanings and values associated with empty cans and bottles. Inspired by the varied ways in which people relate to the act of panting, the sculptures aim to evoke a sense of nostalgia and familiarity while also encouraging viewers to reflect on their own relationship to recycling and waste.
Each sculpture in the series is created through the technique of quilt-making, using recycled materials such as discarded clothing and fabrics. By incorporating these everyday materials into my art, I hope to highlight the connection between our daily lives and our impact on the environment.
"En kr pant" is a textile sculpture series that explores the diverse meanings and values associated with empty cans and bottles. Inspired by the varied ways in which people relate to the act of panting, the sculptures aim to evoke a sense of nostalgia and familiarity while also encouraging viewers to reflect on their own relationship to recycling and waste.
Each sculpture in the series is created through the technique of quilt-making, using recycled materials such as discarded clothing and fabrics. By incorporating these everyday materials into my art, I hope to highlight the connection between our daily lives and our impact on the environment.
Artwork: STEEL SOLID. Made of recycled Swedish tin
Artwork: FIRBY NERVS 2023
Artowrk: SHMETTERLINGS
This artwork is an exploration of the artist's own phobia of butterflies and how it can be materialized through art.
Artwork: The Female Urge To Feel Small
Detta konstverk materialiserar och undersöker memet (Meme – något som uppnår stor popularitet och igenkänning på kort tid enbart via internet) "The Female Urge To....
I The New York Times beskrivs meme följande; "Frasen handlar till synes om lust, men den följs ofta av en negativ personlighetsdrag eller vana".
I konstverket "The Feminine Urge To Feel Small", berättar jag om patriarkatet där kvinnor förväntas ta mindre plats både i konversationer samt kropsligt på ett humoristiskt sätt. Ett par gigantiska trosor i metall. Mitt mål med kostverket är att det kvinliga ska få plats och att beskådaren, i rellation till det feninina ska känna sig mindre.
Detta konstverk materialiserar och undersöker memet (Meme – något som uppnår stor popularitet och igenkänning på kort tid enbart via internet) "The Female Urge To....
I The New York Times beskrivs meme följande; "Frasen handlar till synes om lust, men den följs ofta av en negativ personlighetsdrag eller vana".
I konstverket "The Feminine Urge To Feel Small", berättar jag om patriarkatet där kvinnor förväntas ta mindre plats både i konversationer samt kropsligt på ett humoristiskt sätt. Ett par gigantiska trosor i metall. Mitt mål med kostverket är att det kvinliga ska få plats och att beskådaren, i rellation till det feninina ska känna sig mindre.
Artwork: I Love Everything Familiar
I Love Everything Familiar is a textile art piece created through quilt-making and patchwork that is inspired by my fondness for things that evoke a sense of nostalgia. I believe that people are often drawn to objects or places that remind them of happy memories from their past, creating a feeling of comfort and familiarity. By expressing my love for everything familiar, I'm highlighting my appreciation for the warmth and comfort that comes with nostalgia and the familiarity that it brings.
