MUNTHE ART MONDAY: HELLE SKAARUP
Introduce yourself and tell us what you do?
My name is Helle Skaarup, and I have a background as a fashion designer from the Kolding School of Design. I have worked as a fashion designer for many years, but four years ago, I made the leap and began working as an artist, where I use thread as my brush and "paint" on fabric. I use embroidery as an art form and challenge traditional embroidery. I experiment with textures and colors, resulting in works that are both abstract, with some also balancing between the figurative and the abstract.
I experiment a lot and explore what embroidery can do, creating works on canvas, framed pieces, handmade quilts, embroidered vases, and more
Which other (female) artist inspires you, and why?
That's a tough question, as there are many talented and inspiring artists. But I would like to mention Mie Olise Kjærgaard. Mie Olise is an inspiring artist for me because her works exude adventure and mystique, often with abandoned buildings or imaginary places that hold a sense of both history and the future. I love her expressive brushstrokes and her color palette.
What has been the most challenging aspect of being a female artist?
As women, we have fewer exhibitions and receive lower prices for our works compared to our male colleagues. There is also a documented gender pay gap in the art world, and there are challenges in several areas. However, that said, there is fortunately a positive development happening as well. For example, more galleries and museums are focusing on female artists. Feminist movements and female networks in the art world are raising awareness about inequalities and working for change. All of this is helping us move in the right direction.
Helle is wearing Spacy Knit, Sussima blazer and Sumatra pants.
What would you like people to notice in your works?
Embroidery is definitely an underrated medium and has a long tradition behind it, with many rules on how to embroider. It is seen as a very delicate craft, often considered very sweet, neat, and perfect in its original expression. But embroidery can do so much more and is far more interesting!
I want to challenge that perception and make the imperfect perfect. I aim to enlarge the embroidery and turn it into an expressive art form. Additionally, I want to create a sensory, poetic, and tactile experience for the viewer.
Helle is wearing Spacy Knit, Sussima blazer and Sumatra pants.
