NEVVEN is proud to present Withering Postures, thesecond solo show by Swedish artist Fanny Hellgren withthe gallery, featuring a new body of wall based works inpaper pulp and a steel mesh sculpture, furthering andenriching of new perspectives her material—basedresearch and intimate artistic vocabulary.
The few, pondered works which compose WitheringPostures, deal with depth and detachment with thesubtle yet existential themes underlying FannyHellgren’s approach to art since the beginning of hercareer. Materials are exhibited naked, in their frailtiesand strengths, and allowed to speak to the viewersunmediated, in a soft and simultaneously determinedway.
The concept of rediscovery and active reevaluation ofpoor materials and common objects characterising theArte Povera movement, its detachment from Minimalistand Conceptual Art’s scientific methods for a moremythical and mysterious approach to art resonate withthe Swedish artist’s practice. Yet, the presence of apersonal and intimate level in Fanny Hellgren’s researchdetaches her works from the political preoccupations ofthe historical art movements on which her practice is rooted, making her art distinct, timely and cogent in our contemporary. Speaking through the marks left by herown body on the raw materials and allowing thematerials’ agency in an organic and intuitive process, thedelicate voice of her works approaches the viewer withan openness, non—intrusiveness and quiet sobernesswhich is rare and precious nowadays.
Rusty and brutal metal versus delicate almost dissolvingpaper, the force and tension of the steel bent under thebody weight of the artist clashing with the withering,creasing surface of the pulp and pigments. FannyHellgren’s art speaks through opposites and extremejuxtapositions, it describes tensions and delicatenesses,and while it allows the viewer to explore and interpret,guides her with a strong and mature vision. WitheringPostures captures Fanny Hellgren’s practice at a crucialpoint, it fulfils the promises of her previous series whileopening the way for exciting future developments. Astate of transition that reflects the one captured in herworks, a moment of stillness in between ever—changingstates of existence.
Text: Mattia Lullini and Alina Vergnano
