Liv Blavarp. Structures in Wood

Maple, birch, walnut, lemonwood and palisander are just some of the woods from which the Norwegian Liv Blåvarp (b. 1956) creates exceptional one-off pieces of jewellery. Here rigidity and softness play just as much of a signifi cant role in the selection process as the structure and texture do. Frequently coloured and polished, the wooden elements are complemented by other natural materials such as horn and ivory.

The objects themselves – mostly neck jewellery – comprise numerous single elements that join together to form sculptural volumes: tactile and flexible structures whose strand conformations often penetrate or overlap each other. Concave and concave parts form contrasts that continue in terms of colour and in doing so render their defi nition unclear. If at fi rst glance organic or spinal structures come to mind, associations pertaining to natural processes in general soon appear: organic growth, animals, light and shade, water and waves.

Yet, simultaneously Blåvarp’s expressive and intensely coloured pieces remain wearable – an integral component of their conception; only on touching them do these flexible structures really come to life. And if the chemistry between object and wearer is right, then – according to the artist – ‘the atmosphere becomes charged’.

Text in English.
 

About the author

Cecilie Skeide is a Norwegian art historian working as a curator at Lillehammer Art Museum. She has been responsible for major exhibitions of contemporary and historical art and the decorative arts.

Anne Britt Ylvisåker works as senior curator at KODE – Art Museums of Bergen, where she has chief responsibility for contemporary craft, textiles and ceramics.