Mamma Andersson Interview: Paintings as Weapons
Ойын-сауық
“It is the psyche of the artist that is the product, it sprung from your own well, it’s your own water”, says Sweden’s great painter Mamma Andersson in this portrait. “The moment you dig into something, it becomes a sort of self-image.”
In this video Mamma Andersson takes us on a tour of her studio and her extensive library of books and images that inspire her paintings - from Edward Munch to images of stripping athletes who embody the act of painting: “It struck me that the nakedness was probably the biggest parallel. You have to strip down to be seen and understood.” She describes painting and drawing as “her first language,” but painting is hard work for Mamma Andersson, a long and vulnerable process. So the artist has kept an athlete’s mind-set from her childhood days of doing sports: “When I'm on the verge of giving up, I think: ‘One more lap. You can do it!’”
The interview gives a thorough insight into Mamma Andersson’s way of working with figurative painting, which she describes as “treading on slippery ice … To work figuratively without coming off as pathetic is extremely difficult.” The artist also reflects on the vulnerability of finishing an exhibition and what it means to be an artist. “Being an artist,” says Mamma Andersson, ”is to go around in circles in different directions. You always go back to start like in a game of Monopoly.” It is a professional development that is akin to personal growth, a constant coming back to core issues to understand yourself.” For Mamma Andersson, this means always returning to painting and images: “It's through painting that I reach a psychological or political level.”
Mamma Andersson (b. 1962) is one of Sweden’s most internationally acknowledged artists. She studied at the Royal University College of Fine Arts in Stockholm, at which time her nickname ‘Mamma’ was added to differentiate herself from another student with the same name. Her dreamlike, expressive compositions are often inspired by filmic imagery, theatre sets and private interiors. She is represented by Gallery Magnus Karlsson in Stockholm, and by David Zwirner Gallery in New York. Mamma Andersson resides in Stockholm.
Mamma Andersson was interviewed by Christian Lund in her studio in Stockholm, Sweden, February 2015.
Camera: Kasper Kiertzner
Edited by: Klaus Elmer
Produce by: Christian Lund
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2017
Supported by Nordea-fonden
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Пікірлер: 37
Another wonderful artist interview, full of insights, connection, truths, inspiration, vulnerability and humanity. I am getting sooo (!) much from your interviews! Your YT channel is such a rich and increasingly vast resource; it's the most magnificent gift. Thank you so much Karin Mamma and Louisiana MoMA Denmark!! Stay well!
@thelouisianachannel
3 жыл бұрын
Our pleasure, thanks for writing, it means a lot for us.
I love her work, she is an inspiration. Thank you!
Thanks for all the great interviews.
Thank you, Louisiana Channel for sharing Karin Mamma Andersson's interview. I loved what she said at the end when she compares the process an artist goes through to reading a book and the thirst for more after it's finished.
Thank you for this very interesting film & for the english subtitles!
A special presentation. Thank you.
wonderful , authentic artist. didnt know her before :)
@ruthbrack1138
3 жыл бұрын
Uh h
@OlvisTokyo
3 жыл бұрын
@@ruthbrack1138 what?
I love this video - I can completely relate to every single thing she says.
since art school my favorite painter. I own an art book from her, until today it is the most hypnotizing.
so interesting she stressed she's not into evil but still more into the dark side. gives you so much to think about. loved the interview, thanks!
It is the imagination of Western Europeans that we are all similar. I know people from all over the world and the priorities of people from the Philippines and people from Sweden are vastly different. People from the Philippines are more concerned about their relatives and helping others whereas people from Western Europe are more concerned with achievement.
I agree with Mamma's last comment about never retiring because of always wanting to do better in the next work. The most famous artists in the world are seniors.
She’s an interesting thinker. I would welcome a conversation with her about her studio habits on my bucket list. My studio practices have always seemed odd to me. To think she does what I do, like buy old books, cut out the pictures she relates to, and throws away the book… a picture is worth many words and space.
Wonderful. Thank you.
Great interview, very personal
What a fantastic lady
great video, thanks.
Favourite artist of all time
En klok kvinna. Tack!
its agonizing and its wonderful ...
I saw her work in San Francisco at Crown Point Press.
15:30. The painting Swan Song 2016, Tal R has the same painting (Academy of Tal R) Anyone know the reference?
lovely
super art
Mamma has particularly Swedish opinions, like not meeting another's gaze. This is not the case in North America.
Anybody knows what bgm is this?
@JoseBuergo_
4 жыл бұрын
Not totally sure, but it sounds like Satie. A french composer.
I don't agree that green is the colour of poison.
l o v e
God, I wish I understood French or could read English.
@NeccoWecco
7 жыл бұрын
She's speaking swedish
Mamma likes drama but thinks it is dystopian. I know another Swedish artist.
Her work is great but allowing her to babble on defeats the purpose of a interview. More like a 25 minute statement. Is there anyone who can ask intelligent questions, which can MA can answer. Bacon interview gets it right. Also that has no psycho babble like this one.