Anna Bjerger uses found images to create her strangely familiar work. The
exhibition 'Angels In Your Beer' is representative of Bjerger's practice
over the past two years, which includes her themed paintings such as the
series of works inspired by the Guinness Book of Records, that capture small
triumphs in a world of vast indifference.
Sourced from hundreds of found pictures - recognisable images of holiday
snaps, people at parties, family groups, proud winners, and of ordinary
people doing extraordinary things are transmuted by Bjerger to produce
paintings resonant with memories and traces of lives lived; of a moment that
mattered to someone. Embracing her medium, she uses the inherent qualities
of paint, letting lush colours run and drip with a spontaneity that gives
her work a paradoxically strong sense of movement as if she was present at
the scene she depicts.
The awkwardly mawkish exhibition title, 'Angels In Your Beer', was also
found in an unwanted book in a charity shop. These words could be taken as
throwaway and humorous, but they are also despondent and downhearted. With
the uncanny ability to amplify the sense of significance that these
photographs have, Bjerger produces paintings that manage to contain both joy
and celebration alongside dejection and melancholy.
Anna Bjerger is originally from Sweden and is now based in London. Since
graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2001 she has exhibited in solo
exhibitions at MW Projects (London), Chapter Gallery (Cardiff), and at the
Lithuanian Artist Association. Group exhibitions include 'Draw to be Alive',
Hales Gallery, London; 'Love', curated by David Risley at 14 Wharf Road,
London; and 'Immediate Gesture' at Lombard-Fried Fine Arts, New York. END
'Angels In Your Beer' is a Chapter touring exhibition.
Anna Bjerger is represented by MW Projects
A 16 page full-colour catalogue, including an essay by Martin Herbert, is
available on request.
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