Artist in Residence at Tolne Gjæstgivergaard

TGGG: Hi Chloe! You were resident at Tolne Gjaestgivergaard from February to the end of April, tell us a bit about yourself..

I grew up in London and graduated from Fine Art Printmaking at University of Brighton in 2016. During this time I developed a practice generated through walking.

My work is of the landscape, yet holds it’s own forms and fluctuations. Through allowing the terrain to shape the work using etching and film. I drag etching plates within a natural environment, to record the textures of the weathered land beneath my feet as I walk. Using film to document this performance, the prints from the etching remains as a record of this experience.

TGGG: Why did you decide to come to Denmark and specifically TGGG?

A friend of mine showed me TGGG through Workaway and after one email I booked flights immediately! Living in a city brings an urge to spend time closer to nature and Denmark seemed to be a calling to delve into the landscape. It invited searching and a renewed energy in creativity.

Spending two months collaborating, listening and telling stories with other volunteers from many different countries was the most magical part. Especially cooking and the exchange of passing food at the table.

TGGG: Your work involves themes of landscape, movement and borders (particularly pertinent these days) how did you find the landscape in Nordjylland?

The in-between stages of winter and spring in Nordiylland drew me in.

For those brief days where the change is so evident, between the shades of grass from one day to the next. This is the only time of year you can experience this, slowly the land turns into that exuberant green I forget and rediscover each year.

It’s light, senses, transitions.

Being in the open environment helps me to build up a relationship with nature, to open up and to listen and see what is really there. And so the work evolves from this exploration and connection.

TGGG: While you were resident at TGGG you made a film and a new print work.. tell us about it.

I got the chance to develop my project towards an exhibition, to trace the ancient woodlands alongside another volunteer, Gem. With her filmmaking experience she helped to document the process. Etching is a powerful way of working to record the landscape, of moving through the world and the body’s relationship to the interaction with it’s situated environment. It’s the wider wondering for the openness that nature holds with it’s arms wide open, stretching, balancing, embracing the earth to then using that energy, translating it from the inside out.

TGGG: Tell us a story that happened while you were at TGGG

One morning taking Lucy on a walk, she spotted Kiki the cat and whilst attached to the lead jumped forward in excitement flinging me with sheer force into the air and I landed in mud flat on my face!

TGGG: Any plans for the future?

I will be returning to Denmark in mid August to take part in the Nordic Culture Camp, as well as working on projects at Tolne Gjaestgivergaard again! What will be most significant is the different mind-set that being there brings. I’ve been working full time as an image technician in an archiving company and just left, having just got a studio space I will now be dedicating time for my practice and embracing the city along with frequent walking trips!

Journal

Artist in Residence at Tolne Gjæstgivergaard