"Stranger" - a solo exhibition by Stella Im Hultberg
Opening reception: October 1st, 6 -10pm
On view: October 1st - October 24th, 2015
Spoke Art is pleased to present “Stranger”, a solo exhibition by Portland-based artist Stella Im
Hultberg. Comprised of new oil paintings and loosely rendered watercolor and india ink
sketches, “Stranger” is an exploration into the fragmented dream-like world of female identity.
After spending some time to become a mother, Stella returns for her first solo show in four
years at Spoke Art Gallery. The time spent away enabled her to refine her style and play up
new aesthetics, Stella’s current body of paintings and illustrations have a unique and
whimsical aesthetic that pay homage to her earlier work while cultivating a visual language
completely her own.
Playful and graphic, her new series of illustrations break free of rigorous composition and
allow Stella to explore and experiment with alternative mediums such as india ink and
watercolor. These unencumbered materials give way for beautiful and unexpected results.
When asked about her process, the artist states, “It just feels like the materials or the image
I'm trying to make is more fluid and organic, like they're alive. It feels kind of like I have to try
and communicate with them and make deals.”
“Stranger” is a surreal display of Stella’s signature female figures paired with organic
iconography. Adorned with bountiful flowers and surrounded in a dream-like atmosphere,
these figures are representative of the ever-changing feminine identity. In “Stranger” these
shy and contemplative figures seem to represent fragments of new beginnings for the artist.
Surrounded by symbols of mother nature and fertility, one could say that “Stranger” is a
celebration of all things new.
The artist states, “There was a lot of "heaviness of love" that I felt since becoming a parent, a
very heavy-feeling blessing. I’m sure many parents would agree. Maybe overabundance of
flowers are a bit related to that - delicate flowers in heaps can become very heavy and hard to
bear. Even the most beautiful things that can make it hard to breathe for you. But things
happen in life, not just children, that can make you change before you realize. And suddenly
you realize that you’re different. You see that you're still you, but somehow you aren't you
anymore - you're a stranger to yourself.”
Please join us October 1st for the opening reception of “Stranger”. Complimentary beverages
will be served and the artist will be in attendance.
To request an advance collector's preview, please email us at spokeartgallery(at)gmail
