Ann Kristin Einarsen built a canoe at the folk college and most wanted to hang out in the carpentry shop all day, and when she realized that the art college was a kind of carpentry shop with professional expertise, she had no doubt that it was the right direction to go. Today, Einarsen primarily works with ceramics, and for the exhibition "8 Impressions" she has made a vase that carries qualities she herself looks up to: strength, stubbornness and pride in being a woman.
What kind of work do you create?
I make functional objects in ceramics. In the last year, I have immersed myself in the vase as an object through the project #365vases on Instagram. I also have a background in various woodwork, but after I completed my master's in fine arts in 2011, I have delved into the possibilities that lie in the ceramic material.
What is your earliest memory related to art, or to creating something?
I think my earliest memory of creating something must be of my grandmother spinning yarn, which she later knitted with. My earliest clear memory of art must be visiting my older sister who was studying at the art college in Bergen. I was probably 13 and remember that I thought the result itself, or art if you like, was a bit scary and inaccessible, but I thought it was incredibly exciting to hear about the process and the thoughts behind it.
"I remember a meeting with a study supervisor where I came to the conclusion that the only thing I wanted was to retire and cozy up in the carpenter's shop all day."
When in life did you first learn about your field of work? What brought you there ?
The road to where I am now has really come about over time. It probably started when I was 18 and joined my mum on a course in woodcarving. There I experienced enormous mastery when dealing with tools and materials. Later, I built canoes at Folke høyskole and delved into wood and ceramics at teacher's school. I remember a meeting with a study advisor where I came to the conclusion that the only thing I wanted was to retire and cozy up in the carpenter's shop all day. At one point I realized that the art college was a kind of carpentry shop, only with a lot of available expertise, professional input, workshops and knowledge of materials. I found a field for people who want to hang out in the carpentry shop.
What is the best advice you have received?
Well, I have a kind of annoying stubbornness in me that makes me prefer to figure things out myself, so I often do the opposite of well-intentioned advice. But I learn a lot from making mistakes!
What is your relationship with the various materials you work with?
I am very attracted to natural materials and materials with a long history. In working with both ceramics, wood, wool and leather, I feel a kind of contact with people and craftsmen across culture, geography and even time.
Tell us a little about your workplace!
I am part of a very nice and inspiring studio community. All work with ceramics, but with different approaches and very different expressions. It is incredibly nice to look forward to coming to work, both because you love what you do, but also because you look forward to meeting good colleagues.
What is the most challenging thing about being your own boss?
That I, as a boss, am very kind to my employees, which leads to everyone being a bit behind all the time. Both the design, production, administration, marketing and finance departments are a little bad at deadlines. Did I mention I don't have any employees?
"That I, as a boss, am very kind to my employees, which leads to everyone being a bit behind all the time. Both the design, production, administration, marketing and finance departments are a bit bad at deadlines. Did I mention that I don't have any employees?"
What motivates you?
Ambitions and goals one must work to achieve. Which is somewhat paradoxical, as I'm bad at planning.
Do you have any tricks or techniques that never fail if you need inspiration or to break out of routines?
It all depends on where I am in my own process, but seeing good exhibitions is always a sure winner!
Tell us a little about the items you are exhibiting in this year's exhibition.
A version of the Venus vase was first designed on March 8, 2019 for the project #365vases. I worked on monthly themes and in March I worked on modules. I wanted to do something fun to mark Women's Day, and the Venus symbol came very naturally based on the modules I was working on.
What kind of imprint or representation of yourself have you left in the works for this exhibition?
I wanted the vase to express a kind of rawness and strength, and at the same time be undeniably feminine. A bit like I want to be myself; strong, stubborn and proud to be a woman!
About Ann Kristin Einarsen
Ann Kristin Einarsen is a Norwegian artist born and raised in Narvik. She currently has a ceramics workshop in Oslo where she primarily works with sculptural objects. Einarsen also designs and produces functional handicrafts and the focus in 2019 was particularly devoted to vases. Through the project 365 vases, she made one new vase for each day. The inherent properties of the materials and the good craftsmanship are central to Einarsen's work. She primarily works with ceramics and porcelain and explores the material's properties and possibilities. Inspired by her childhood, where nature was her playground, she continues to play with nature by transferring her childhood fascination with natural materials into tangible and modern design objects. Einarsen has a Master's in Fine Arts from the Oslo Academy of Fine Arts.
