Amanda Karlsson

My work is based on an alternative fictional reality where there is an answer to the most fundamental aspects of human existence. Where there is a deeper universal truth to be reached if you just try hard enough.
My starting point is to construct a narrative. To explore our sociopolitical society, class, and interpersonal relationships through a layer of fiction. I use mythology to find meaning in the past, and science fiction to explore depictions of the future.
To reach this reality I have to create it. I do this through a process of constructing scenographies and staging events around issues of inner experiences in contrast to the outside world. My scenes are then deepened by being transferred to and translated into paintings. I see painting as a language, a direction and as a deliberate act to shape our perception of reality. By letting painting meet a fabricated narrative I can create a new depiction of the story, and if not get closer to the truth, at least process the longing for it.

Could you tell us a little more about your background, and how did you begin creating art?

I was born and raised in an area of Sweden which consist mostly of deep dark woodlands. This region has a quite heavy storytelling tradition that has seeped down through generations and thus also has a firm place in me. It is something that I consider to be a main part of my artistic practice. To tell a story. Maybe fictional, or real, or as it often is in my works, both. I did paint as a child but it was mostly frustrating. I didn’t love it as I do now because I didn’t have the skillset. The love or obsession came later when I started to see painting as a language. That you could tell a story using brushes. Paint yourself in to an alternative reality. After that revelation I couldn’t stop. I have since moved away from the woodlands. Lived in Berlin for a bit, some residencies, studied art in different parts of Sweden and I’m now settled in a Gothenburg working full time as an artist.

What does your art aim to say to the viewers?

My intention is to create an alternative fictional reality where there is an answer to the most fundamental aspects of human existence. Where there is a deeper universal truth to be reached if you just try hard enough. In real life it is impossible to find any kind of truth because frankly, there are so many versions of it. Our internal narratives guides us to the one that fits our current views. In my works I try to dilute that internal narrative. Place it in a fictional context where things are almost the same but constructed to focus in on a certain topic. My aim is to move perspective just an inch so that we can see our sociopolitical landscape from a different point of view.

Can you tell us about the process of creating your work? What is your daily routine when working?

I have a quite long process when creating my works. It starts with me wanting to explore a certain theme or question. Then I do research. This could be either interviews, reading, writing or all of the above. When I gathered enough information I construct a setting in my studio. This consist of building scenography, adding lights and placing objects. Then I'll invite a person to be placed in the setting and photographed. From these photos I build the motive I want to paint. My artistic practice is based quite heavily on mythology so I want the paintings to come from something real. Something that has happened but later been warped to fit our present. I think thats why my work has to go trough all of these stages. From a real topic, to a construction, to almost reality and then to pure fiction. The longest stage would be the painting though but they often blend in to each other. The other day I worked in my studio for about ten hours. Maybe eight of them were painting and the other two I built a big diamond out of cardboard.

What’s the essential element in your art?

The exploration. I think art making is an amazing platform for deep investigations. I can use science fiction and mythology as artistic tools to explore our future, our past and our present. These however do not provide any real answers so you know you don’t have to look for one. Just continue to create spaces for dialogue and questions.

In your opinion, what role does the artist have in society?

So many roles. Communicator, scientist, agitator. To be able to make things more complex then it has to be. Or make it easier. To be able to find meaning or accept that meaning isn’t everything.

Website: amandakarlsson.com