Emeli Theander
Overview
“I have created an imaginary vision of the unconscious, which resembles a botanical greenhouse. In these garden rooms I see figures and landscape being mirrored, reflected by the imaginary walls or in the water.” - Emeli Theander
Emeli Theander’s practice is predicated on a central purpose, to imagine a vision of the unconscious. For her, this uncharted realm takes the form of a botanical wilderness filled with mirrors, water and light. The resultant paintings are timeless, resembling both scenes of 18th century pleasure gardens and scenarios from Greek mythology.
The works are intrinsically paradoxical in nature, full of hidden secrets, reassuring yet unsettling. This is born as much from the subject matter as the stark contrasts within the strokes of paint, combining the thick and bold with the delicate, thin, even dainty.
For Theander, painting is ultimately a route to excavate what it might mean to be human. She understands herself as a psychological archeologist who seeks to reveal whatever is lingering beneath the surface in the minds of both herself and the viewer.
Biography
Emeli Theander (b.1984, Sweden) is an artist based in Berlin. She is represented by Galerie C (Neuchatel/Paris) and Galerie DYS (Brussels). In 2011 she graduated with a BA in Fine Art from the University of the Arts, Berlin followed by a Master at the UdK Berlin, graduating in 2012.
She has presented multiple solo and duo exhibitions including: À la source (Galerie DYS, Brussels, 2023); Baltic sea & more (Espace á Vendre, Nice, 2022); Feed your demons (Framed, Berlin, 2021); Vivid Vacation (Hoorn & Reniers, The Hague, 2019); A pit full of Ghosts (Galerie DYS, Brussels, 2018); Not Guided to get here (Frauenmuseum/Kommunale Galerie, Berlin, 2017); Limbo Losers (Edmond Gallery, Berlin, 2017); Vittring (Dorothea Konwiarz Stiftung, Berlin, 2014); Irrgäster (Parrotta Contemporary Art, Stuttgart, 2014); Bleirauch (Parrotta Contemporary Art, Stuttgart, 2011); Gastkramad (Galerie Adler, Frankfurt am Main, 2011); Billige Zirpen (R 4.4, Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst, Leipzig, 2010); Gwishin Birds Sanctuary (Platoon Kunsthalle, Seoul, 2010); Eat my soul as a bird pick a worm (Black Jim Gallery, Berlin, 2009); Insomnia (Total Gallery, Berlin, 2008) and Tier im Spiegel (Léttrétage, Berlin, 2007).
Her work has been included in group exhibition at galleries including: Galleri Sandberg, Odense (2023), Galerie C, Paris (2023), Galerie DYS, Luxembourg (2022), Galerie Wolfsen, Aalborg (2022); Galerie C, Paris (2022); Natasha Arselan Gallery via Artsy, London/Online (2022); Delphian Gallery, London/Online (2020); Kunstverein b-05, Montabaur (2020), Galerie C, Neuchâtel (2020, 2018, 2016 and 2015); Carreau du Temple, Paris (2019); Galerie d'YS, Brussels (2019 and 2015); Hoorn & Reniers, The Hague (2019); Estonian Museum of Applied Arts and Design, Tallinn curated by Francisco Martínez (2018); Espace á Vendre, Nice (2018); Kunstmuseum Bochum, Bochum (2018); Edmond Gallery, Berlin (2017); Topographie de l'art, Paris curated by Clara Djian & Nicolas Leto (2016) and Platoon Kunsthalle, Mexico (2016) among others. Her work is held in private collections globally.
Works
