Solid Fragility
Solid Fragility, 2024, Mixed Media on Canvas, Uv-light Installation, Tryptich, 350cm x 150cm.
In Solid Fragility, Askild Winkelmann explores the duality of nature and the cosmos, revealing the delicate balance between gentleness and strength, comfort and vastness. This triptych shifts dramatically between two realities—under the light of day, it depicts a wave, serene and fluid, a symbol of the ocean’s gentle embrace. The soft, flowing textures evoke a sense of peace and immersion, like floating in the warmth of familiar waters. But, when viewed under UV light, the wave transforms into something cosmic—a sprawling milky way, with stars glimmering against the dark expanse of space. This dual composition highlights the paradoxes present in both the universe and the ocean. The wave, like water itself, is both comforting and powerful; it invites us in with serenity, yet can quickly become a force of unimaginable power. The universe mirrors this contrast: vast, beautiful, and mysterious, it evokes wonder and awe but also speaks to the unknown, a space we cannot fully comprehend. Through Solid Fragility, Winkelmann reflects on the juxtaposition of solidity and fragility in our world, reminding us of the similarities between earth and the cosmos. These elements, though immense and powerful, are also fragile and transient. The painting’s duality encourages viewers to reflect on their relationship with nature and the universe, inviting contemplation of their own emotions in the face of both beauty and the unknown.
Artist Statement: Askild Winkelmann’s paintings are intimate reflections of emotions and experiences, translated onto canvas through an intuitive dialogue between the artist and the medium. She begins with premeditated themes, colours, and designs but then enters a fluid process where the conscious merges with the subconscious. She treats colours and paint as living elements, allowing them to interact, merge, and collide in unexpected ways. By selectively relinquishing control, Winkelmann allows her subconscious to connect directly with the canvas, creating deeply personal works informed by her internalisation of the external world. Embracing vulnerability, her art expresses and processes personal experiences and reflections on broader societal issues. The push and pull of competing emotions create dynamic layers that reveal different facets depending on angle, detail, or light source—many pieces unveil an entirely new aspect when observed under UV light. Her practice includes a physical, messy approach—throwing paint onto a horizontal canvas to capture raw emotion, then hanging it to add detailed layers, often returning to throw more paint. This method creates a textured, evolving surface that embodies the emotional journey. Winkelmann’s works invite viewers to speculate about her intentions, but their true impact emerges from each viewer’s personal emotional confrontation with the piece. The interpretation becomes a self-reflective experience, where viewers engage with their own emotions, paralleling the vulnerability she embraces in the creative process. Ultimately, her work poses questions about how we understand and express our emotions, encouraging a deeper exploration of the self.
