Ingólfur Arnarson (2020)
Archival pigment print framed with museum glass
89 x 61 cm
Edition 3
Lucie Layers Statement
The discovery of Mazja Hillestrøm’s captivating photography works has been something truly worthwhile. Before I came to know Mazja privately, I felt mesmerized by firstly her series of colorful forest scenes. At first glance it would appear that these images had been digitally created, but what joy to understand that her creative process was of much more analogue character. Technically speaking, Mazja had ventured deep into a forest and spray-painted directly onto trees and leaves, leaving them transformed, unnaturally/naturally beautiful – exposing all the glorious wonders of nature to truly stand out. It reminded me of a lustrous backdrop or even set design for a fairytale set in the woods. In fact, in exploring more of Mazja’s works – in her differing series of works – all seem bound to expose or reveal the essence of true natural wonders.
Her camera lens has been pointed in the direction of isolated parts of the United States, where particularly enthralling is her series shot in Arizona and Nevada, showcasing mighty mountainous minerals in complete colour splendor. Continuing through to winter landscapes, into abandoned areas in the desert. She has sought the extreme outdoors, in Norway, as well as Sweden,
There is such a filmic quality to Mazja’s works, and although no humans are present in her landscapes – there is this presence always of her alone as the visionary auteur directing our gaze into what she want us to see; the vast and picturesque, desolated and wonderful nature. She invites us to take special notice of our wondrous surroundings. Somehow her images conjure comparison to the great painter, Casper David Friedrich (1774-1840) as he – like Mazja – forges connections between the individual versus nature. Although Friedrich works are more somber, almost melancholy, Mazja’s on the other hand reveal a more playful, joyful, humble and intense as well as attitude. It’s Alice in Wonderland rolled into Western films, wrapped around her as a courageous explorer in the state of the world, we inhabit – both what is seen and what in unseen. Her photograph is full of sensibility, full of texture, amass in subtext and printed in large scale, so as to underline, that should you have the opportunity to hang a Mazja Hillestrøm photography work on your wall, you then also are reminded every time you look at her vivid landscapes, that you also must look, always play the protagonist in your own wonderful life story. You, too, can consider your surrounding world, as backdrop if you like. Remember to infuse colour, material and meaning into your life, as much as you can – while it lasts.
Mazja Chloé Hillestrøm (1976)
Member of Danish Visual Artists
Member of Danish Crafts and Design Association
Education:
Fatamorgana, Copenhagen (2014-2015)
Konsthögskolan, Malmö (2013-2014)
Akademie der Bildende Künste, Vienna (2011-2013)
Spektrum, Copenhagen (2010-2011)
Exhibitions:
2024
XMAS'24: Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
Complete Superfection: A New World. Elværket Frederikssund (DK)
It's A Club Exhibition in collaboration with Christoffer Egelund (DK)
2023
XMAS'23: Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
Solo Exhibition: Technicolor Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
Summertime'23: Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
Solo Exhibition: Complete Superfection; Galleri Sandberg, Odense (DK)
2022
XMAS'22: Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
Solo Exhibition: The End of an Era: Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
Summertime'22: Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
WINTER 22: Galleri Sandberg, Odense (DK)
2021
XMAS' 21: Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
Summertime'21: Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
Ærø Museum of Modern Art, Ærøskøbing (DK)
Complete Superfection: A New World. Galleri Sandberg, Odense (DK)
2020
Grand Opening; Galleri Sandberg, Odense (DK)
XMAS' 20; Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
Summertime'20; Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
Summer 2020; Galleri Sandberg, Odense (DK)
2019
The Annual Winter Show'19; Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
Winter Images; Galleri Sandberg, Odense (DK)
Pimp My Leaf: Blind Magazine (FRA)
Summer Show; Galleri Sandberg, Odense (DK)
Summertime'19; Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
Ærø Museum of Modern Art, Ærøskøbing (DK)
Fairy Tales; Galleri Sandberg, Odense (DK)
2018
The Annual Winter Show'18; Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
Solo Exhibition: Complete Superfection; Galleri Sandberg, Odense (DK)
Space C Pop Up, Copenhagen (DK)
Summertime'18; Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
Resurrection; Rudolph Tegners Museum, Dronningmølle (DK)
2017
The Annual Winter Show'17; Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
Remix #1; Kunstmix. Copenhagen (DK)
No Mans Land; Hotel SP34, Copenhagen (DK)
2016
Encounters With Memory; Metamatic:taf, Athens (GR) UHHIprojects
The Tabulator Project; Kunsthal Aarhus, Aarhus (DK) UHHIprojects
2015
Artoteket RUT; Skånes konstförening, Malmö (S)
Summer Show; Råhuset, Copenhagen (DK)
Bubbles And Perfect Plastic; Politikens Hus, Copenhagen (DK)
Winter Show; Galleri Krebsen, Copenhagen (DK)
2014
Artoteket RUT; Mölnlycke Kulturhus, Gothenburg (S)
Vi Tager Intet Ansvar; Udstillingstedet Q, Copenhagen (DK)
Omhandling; Gallery Poulsen, Copenhagen (DK)
2013
Parallel Campaign; ReMap4, Athens (GR)
Imprint; POP-UP Galleri Kant, Copenhagen (DK)
2012
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun; Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen (DK)
New Directions In Photography; Akademie der bildenden Künste, Vienna (A)
The Last Title Was Fabulous; FLUC, Vienna (A)
Easter Show; Kunsthal Aarhus, Aarhus (DK)