Alchemy of Forms: Lin Utzon, Anne-Sophie Øgaard, and Laura Lappi

San Diego, California – Madison Gallery proudly presents Alchemy of Form, a unique exploration between three Scandinavian women artists Lin Utzon, Anne-Sophie Øgaard and Laura Lappi. Despite their distinct artistic styles, each artist embarks on a different emotive sensation of material and space. 

Alchemy of Form is an abstract journey into the interconnections between humans and nature, architecture and perception, or movement and space. This exhibition delves into the infinite possibilities of art, showcasing how each artist deconstructs and reconstructs surfaces, navigates emotional spaces, and reflects nature's profound influence on collective experiences. Alchemy of Form conjures up the concept of reality being reflected, altered, or reverberated via several layers of perception.

Based in Copenhagen, Anne-Sophie Øgaard blurs the lines between sculpture and painting. Her work engages with the transformative power of light, form, and color, creating dynamic visual experiences. Utilizing materials such as paint, sand, cement, and plaster, Øgaard's pieces invite viewers to perceive the interplay of static and movement, challenging traditional perceptions of art and space. Her art explores how light, form, and color interact to create dynamic visual experiences that change constantly depending on the observer's viewpoint. Her works move beyond conventional artistic categories by fusing the static and the dynamic. These sculptures invite us to investigate the seamless transitions between painting and sculpture and question our preconceived notions of art and space. Thinking about the nature of shape and how it interacts with light is encouraged by Øgaard's work, which eventually makes us wonder about the beginnings and outcomes of artistic mediums.

Laura Lappi, a native of Finland who currently lives in Queens, New York, focuses on the psychological effects of artificial constructions and physical environments. She blends fiction and reality through hard-designed site-specific works to investigate how settings affect human perception and emotion. Lappi uses actual places and architectural shapes as inspiration to create vivid experiences that captivate viewers on an emotional and sensual level. Inspired by the ancient Japanese art of yakisugi, she uses fire to create a charring method that produces a deep black texture that reflects and absorbs light. As the wood changes from a living thing to a molded and recycled material, residing in a stage halfway between life and decay, this transformation process emphasizes the idea of metamorphosis. Fire is a key component of this metamorphosis, which highlights the alchemical character of her art and its relationship to humanity's long-standing command of elemental forces. Her careful planning and execution encourage viewers to consider their environment, promoting a more thorough investigation of the psychological and perceptual aspects of the places we live in. Through her art, Lappi invites viewers to reflect on the nuanced yet significant ways that built surroundings and architecture affect our inner states and perceptions.

With decades of experience, renowned Danish artist Lin Utzon creates monumentally massive and delicately intricate works by expertly combining materials like porcelain, granite, and glass. Her artwork blends the natural and the artificial, drawing inspiration from the tranquil landscapes of Mallorca and the elegant simplicity of Japanese design. Through elaborate ceramic compositions or expansive architectural projects, Utzon harmonizes the human experience with the transformational power of nature. Her works take viewers on a contemplative journey, encouraging them to consider the profound relationship between space, form, and the elemental elements that influence our reality.

Founded by Lorna York in 2001, Madison Gallery's program focuses on internationally recognized, museum-level artists whose work contributes to domestic and international cultural dialogue. The gallery presents significant Latin and European artists and brings them to Southern California for the first time. The core gallery program focuses on established and mid-career artists, but the gallery also punctuates the program with historical exhibitions to provide depth and context. Artists represented by Madison Gallery receive critical attention and are widely exhibited. Many of the gallery's primary artists, shown initially with Madison Gallery, are now being exhibited internationally and by established galleries in other cities, proving that the gallery has become a springboard for young talent.