“In the past, when I first came to Setesdal, older people wore these clothes every day.”
Courtesy of the artist.
Mona Ida Håvorstad Frøysnes
These are lithographs that are partly hand-colored, totaling 1-90 samples. Each sample is hand painted using lithography to give each one a special expression. The color will be a little different from one sample to another. I want to let the faceless creatures talk on their own – just give a feeling – remind you of something in your own life. I use humor for my own health, and for you as an onlooker!
I use a local form of clothing called “Setesdalbunad.” In our community we wear these costumes on our National Day May 17. It is a day of celebration. In the past, when I first came to Setesdal, older people wore these clothes every day. The “bunad” has two dresses upon each other- a white one for working and a black one for celebrating. I`m fascinated by this clothing, it is so unpractical but also so nice looking. I feel a hunger to paint it in various states of time and place. I use it as a tool to tell a story.
*** This article was published by NY Arts Magazine, 2011. NY Arts Magazine is published by Abraham Lubelski. Sponsored by Broadway Gallery, NYC and World Art Media.
