Within minutes of their arrival, Kasper expressed interest in featuring my work in an upcoming group exhibition. This chance meeting quickly evolved into a concrete invitation to participate in "Sensommer" at Galleri Juul on August 31st and September 1st, 2024.
The improbability of this occurrence is not lost on me.
I mean: What are the odds that a gallerist would happen upon my studio at the exact moment I was there? That my work would align perfectly with his upcoming exhibition and clientele from across the country? Even more remarkably, Kasper and I discovered a shared birthplace in Skagen and a mutual reverence for the sea.
For years, I've poured my heart into creating art, often at the expense of financial prudence. My unconventional style—raw and unrestrained—has sometimes left me doubting its appeal to a wider audience. Despite these uncertainties, I've persevered, driven by a deep love for my craft.
My artistic process involves mimicking nature's decay, creating rusty and tarnished surfaces using an eclectic mix of pigments, oils, cement, metal dust, chemicals, water, and fire. This approach feels authentic and energizing to me, even if its commercial viability remained uncertain until now.
Some of the canvases I am currently working on in (and outside) my studio.
With this unexpected deadline looming, I find myself both exhilarated and apprehensive. The opportunity to showcase my work is thrilling, yet it brings with it a new set of challenges and doubts.
But as I remind myself, the only alternative to embracing this opportunity is to decline it. And while it's daunting to fully commit to something I never imagined possible, I ask myself: "If you feel passionate about it, why not take the leap?"
Some may question this decision, seeing it as reckless or impulsive. However, I believe we each have our own motivations, abilities, and ultimately, our own responsibility to pursue what ignites our passion.
As author Seth Godin advises: Go make a ruckus.
And that's precisely what I intend to do 😇😎
