MUNTHE ART MONDAY: KATHRINE IVERSEN

Please introduce yourself and tell us about what you do.

My name is Kathrine Iversen, and I live in Aarhus. Currently, in September, I exhibited in Paris as a part of the “International Contemporary Art Fair 2023”, where I was represented by the Van Gogh Art Gallery. I’ve been painting all my life. I work abstractly and expressively with acrylics, watercolors, ink, and tempera in my paintings.

I draw inspiration from the realm of thoughts and mystique, from thoughts that merge and expresses in different moods and situations. I’m inspired by the unspoken aspects of human relationships, what lies behind words and glances, how we see each other, and what happens in those interactions. It can also be about the emotions that are difficult to understand and put into words.

I work in a playful, dynamic, and intuitive way. Faces, figures, and forms emerge in the paintings as I work. I aim to create stories and emotions in my artwork that people can relate to or perhaps recognize.

I often paint outdoors by my studio near the sea in Ebeltoft. The colors of the landscape, as well as the forces of nature and the sea, are significant sources of inspiration for my paintings. Painting in nature challenges and strengthens my process. It demands that I work spontaneously and with concentration, while also allowing my large sweeping movements.

I often have several paintings in progress at once. Stories and energy arise at the intersection of the brush and the canvas, which I find fascinating. As mentioned, I recently exhibited in Paris. It has been incredibly inspiring to experience the international art scene and the interest from abroad. In November, I will be exhibiting in Madrid at the Van Gogh Art Gallery, and I currently have a solo exhibition in Aarhus. This year, I’m featured in the Danish art book “101 Artists 2023/24” showcasing works by contemporary Danish artists. In my job, I’ve been involved in significant art embellishment projects in learning and recreational environments, involving children and young people in creative processes. My background in education and art, as well as my work with an architectural firm on art, interior design, and architecture, has been a substantial source of inspiration for my own painting.

Kathrine is wearing ASEIA TOP and ENTHUSIASTIC PANTS

Can you name some other female (artist) that inspires you and explain why they do so?

I follow many female artists daily and find inspiration in their artistic work, visual worlds, and expressions, as well as how they present and market their art. For instance, Ashleigh Holmes from Australia, a young female artist, impresses me greatly. I am captivated by her artistic universe and the way she experiments with colors and compositions. MØ is also a significant inspiration for me. I admire her energy, drive, boldness, and her movements and expressions on stage and in her music. For many years, I've looked up to Inge Hørup for the way she creates narratives and strong expressions in her paintings and combines colors. Fundamentally, I've always been incredibly fascinated and inspired by Asger Jorn and his abstract and expressionist universe.

Could you explain more about how being a woman has affected your career?

I've been painting since I was a child, and it has always been an internal driving force for me to work with art. Along the way, I've been a part of various artistic communities and attended to art classes at schools, where I've drawn inspiration and received inputs, particularly from friends, instructors, and established female artists.

In my adult life, art has been an integrated part of my job. I believe this has given me a lot of experience and strengthened my courage and self-confidence to pursue an artistic path and stand by it.

The past couple of years, I've worked more professionally with painting, which have provided insights into how much it takes to establish oneself as a full-time artist, including financial considerations, marketing, contacts, networking, and an overview of the European art scene.

What has been the most challenging aspect of being a female artist?

I haven't felt limited by being a female artist per se. However, it can be challenging to navigate in the Danish and international art scene, establish essential networks and contacts, and achieve financial stability, especially when striving to become a full-time artist.

Kathrine is wearing CHARMING SKIRT

What would you like people to notice in your artwork?

I would like to evoke moods and trigger thoughts. You can explore my paintings and see persons and destinies merged, playing against each other, or closely connected.

With my artwork, I aim to provide an opportunity for people to create their own stories and understandings. We all have a lot of memories, thoughts, and emotions within us. Emotions that sometimes tend to take control and lead us to do - or not do - something we may not fully understand later. Similarly, both good and bad memories are constantly lurking in the background, coloring our thoughts and actions.

My hope is that everyone can immerse themselves in the artwork, relate to the expressions, and find them meaningful. I want to create a visual world and expression that is about you and me - and is universally human.

Kathrine is wearing ASEIA TOP and ARUM PANTS