Annika Carlsson: Order and Chaos

Exhibition Overview

Location: Agora Gallery, 530 West 25th St, Chelsea, New YorkDates: April 1, 2017 – April 21, 2017Opening Reception: Thursday, April 6, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pmGallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11:00 am – 6:00 pmEvent URL: Agora Gallery - Annika Carlsson

Annika Carlsson's Artistic Vision

Annika Carlsson, a Swedish-born artist with a background in interior design, brings a unique blend of order and chaos to her non-representational paintings. Her works, often over three feet tall and square, feature a harmonious patchwork of shapes and colors influenced by her Scandinavian roots. Each piece centers around a light, bright tone, with complementary hues like turquoises and kelly greens or indigos and ceruleans. A single contrasting color is used sparingly to create depth and underline the overall scheme.

Influences and Techniques

Carlsson's compositions echo the styles of artists like Mondrian and Seurat, with geometric blocks and circles that are distinctly hand-painted. The slight texture and irregularity of brushstrokes add a human touch to her thoughtful collections of forms. Her paintings invite viewers to explore the tension between order and chaos, interpreting space and overlap in their own way.

Featured Artists in "Spatial Fluidity"

The "Spatial Fluidity" exhibition at Agora Gallery features a diverse group of innovative artists, each exploring three-dimensionality in unique ways. The lineup includes:

• Sheree Friedman
• Erin Cooke
• Pedro Alberti
• Nello Petrucci
• Isabelita
• Annika Carlsson
• GIDJA
• Ian A. Matthews
• Birsen Yurdaer

About the Exhibition: Spatial Fluidity

"Spatial Fluidity" is a collective exhibition that celebrates three-dimensionality in art. The exhibition challenges traditional notions of how art should exist in the world, questioning whether it is purely visual, if it enters the viewer's space, or if it changes as the viewer moves. The exhibition features a wide range of mixed-media works, from subtly textured pieces to canvases that protrude and recede into "real" space.

Highlights of the Exhibition

• Mixed-Media Works: Collages that combine newspaper clippings and photographs, often coated in reflective glazes.
• Single-Media Paintings: Emphasizing the physical aspects of materials, such as the plastic quality of acrylic.
• Abstract Art: Encouraging viewers to focus on broader visual sensations rather than representational narratives.

Interesting Stats and Facts

• Art Market Growth: The global art market was valued at $64.1 billion in 2019, with contemporary art making up 15% of the market share (Statista).
• Scandinavian Influence: Scandinavian design, known for its minimalism and functionality, has significantly influenced modern art and interior design worldwide (Scandinavian Standard).
• Non-Representational Art: Non-representational art, which focuses on shapes, colors, and forms rather than depicting real-world objects, has been a significant movement since the early 20th century (Tate).

Conclusion

Annika Carlsson's work in "Spatial Fluidity" offers a captivating exploration of order and chaos through her Scandinavian-inspired, non-representational paintings. The exhibition at Agora Gallery provides a platform for viewers to engage with art in a dynamic and thought-provoking way, challenging traditional perceptions of space and form. Don't miss the opportunity to experience this unique collection from April 1 to April 21, 2017.

For more information on the exhibition and featured artists, visit the Agora Gallery website.