As a seasoned gamer of both digital and physical realms, I find Francis Upritchard’s exhibition at Kunsthal Charlottenborg to be a breathtaking blend of imagination and artistic rebellion that resonates deeply with my spirit. Having spent countless hours navigating the fantastical landscapes of video games, I can appreciate the whimsical yet thought-provoking nature of Upritchard’s eccentric figures.
New Zealand artist Francis Upritchard has debuted her initial Scandinavian display, titled “Any Noise Annoys an Oyster,” at Copenhagen’s Kunsthal Charlottenborg. This exhibition showcases more than 100 peculiar figures crafted by the London-residing artist, aiming to provoke thoughts on past concepts and future images as envisioned by society.
Under the guidance of Henriette Bretton-Meyer, the intriguing figures crafted by Upritchard draw inspiration from ancient art, Asian folklore, contemporary European sculpture of the 20th century, and science fiction literature. Unlike conventional interpretations that might attribute these creations to specific personalities, Upritchard views them as more like outfits or costumes, akin to a coat hanger. Her primary focus is on experimenting with textures, colors, and shapes. She often reflects on traditional ways figurative sculpture has been displayed in prestigious galleries and aims to subtly challenge these norms, sometimes making them more reminiscent of dolls or puppets, always maintaining a delicate balance close to good taste. This notion of good taste that Upritchard refers to is predominantly associated with male aesthetics, she suggests, further noting that the recent artistic landscape has seen a resurgence in women’s handcrafts.
Upritchard’s sculptures intentionally have a cartoon-like quality to challenge and obscure the line between highbrow and lowbrow art, as well as the transition from childhood wonder to adult skepticism. As Upritchard explains, “When I create my dinosaurs, I don’t delve into research at all. I draw what I believe a dinosaur might look like and run with it. Over time, as I make more dinosaurs, they stray further from reality, and I find that amusing because I think we’re often mistaken about many things. To intentionally stray off course is an enjoyable process for me.
Any Noise Annoys an Oyster will be on view in Copenhagen until February 16, 2025.
Kunsthal Charlottenborg
Nyhavn 2, 1051
Copenhagen, Denmark
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2024-10-19 00:26