With her second solo exhibition at Formation Gallery, Parfume, Siri Vittrup invites us into a universe where the boundary between the familiar and the abstract is blurred, and the earthly meets the deeper layers of life. Like the alluring ephemerality of perfume, which fills a space with its sensory potential to transport us to distant places, departed family members, and long-forgotten moments, Vittrup’s works open the lid to the hidden, immaterial box of memories. This parallel universe is ever-present, yet paradoxically often dormant, awakened only in rare moments.
The works are inhabited by human figures, supernatural beings, and elements of nature that emerge as talismans, amulets imbued with inherent potential. These objects—a branch, a seashell, a vase, or a scent—become carriers of stories and memories that connect us to the world around us. The memories we cherish and revisit form the foundation of our self-perception and the narrative we share with others.
In recent years, since the artist returned from a period in Norway, Vittrup has delved deeper into the potential of oil painting. Layer by layer, her works are built up with coarse textures and delicate brushstrokes, creating a tactile experience. The inspiration from textiles, tapestries, and elements of nature (perhaps all three brought back from Norwegian artistic traditions and the spectacular natural surroundings) is evident in her works' harmonious color compositions and patterns, inviting the viewer to explore the details.
Nature plays a central role in Vittrup’s works, embodying a deeply personal and universal significance. Nature is where we, as humans, rediscover ourselves and connect with something larger and more fundamental than the individual. For Vittrup, nature is both a source of peace and a portal to something forgotten and almost magical, offering access to a lost part of herself.
The exhibition aims to reestablish and insist upon childhood’s wondrous ability to connect us to something beyond the physical reality—an ability to re-enchant the world around us. Vittrup’s colorful and imaginative works are a celebration of this ability, which the artist cultivates and shares through her art. The vivid colors and whimsical forms serve as an analogy for this intuitive and boundless childlike worldview, enabling us to find meaning in the ordinary and magic in the unexpected.
Thus, the title Parfume becomes more than a reference to the senses’ ability to evoke memories and emotions momentarily. The title is a key, an approach to how Vittrup wishes to navigate her life and practice—with a steadfast belief that just a scent, an object, or a mood can bring us back to something deeply personal, to a place where we are closer to ourselves, with the potential to also hold back the prevailing "adult" over-rationalized and efficient mode of existence. "Perfume" is a tribute to the potential of intimate objects—things that bring us back to ourselves and our memories—an invitation to rediscover the magic in the ordinary and let ourselves be carried away by the senses' ability to open doors to new worlds.
Kilde:
Formation Gallery
Formation Gallery