Norwegian-Brazilian photographer Flavia Sollner exhibits her new images that reflect both the overgrown rainforests of Brazil and the stark darkness of Norwegian wintertime, in Mile End, London.
Using night-time as a veil, Norwegian-Brazilian Flavia Sollner strategically lifts the darkness to show the mysterious goings-on of her dark fancy: a flash over the shoulder blade of a half-naked boy, car lights over the frozen ridges of a country road, dawn over troubled water. And although her work is very cinematic and even sinister, it is often described as “fairytale”. This fairytale connection is apparent in the titles of 'So As I Might See You Better' and In the 'Company of Wolves'; however they echo the tales of the Grimm brothers and H.C. Andersen in little else.
Brazilian-bred and Norwegian-raised, Flavia Sollner simultaneously evokes the overgrown rainforests of Belem (where the Amazon meets the ocean) and the stark darkness of the Oslo wintertime (where the sun barely rises in January). In fact, a large part of the intrigue of her work lies in that neither-nor netherworld where tropical meets frigid and girl meets boy. It’s the oldest story in the world, one of opposites attracting, repelling, loving and fighting. And it’s this distinctive tone of epic yet private conflict in her work and practice that have garnered much attention over the last year as her photographs and interviews have appeared in many well known magazines. She has also enjoyed exposure via the exhibition racket at the Year ‘07 Art Fair in London’s City Hall, Mi Art! In Milan, Close to Dark in Venice and an upcoming show in New York City at Galerie Poller. The exhibition is curated by Amal Khalaf.
Flavia Sollner
The Night, Though Clear, Shall Frown, and the Stars will not Look Down
14–23 November, Thurs - Sat, 12pm-4pm
(24 November - 15 December by appointment only)
Hold & Freight
Unit 7, Apple Tree Yard
Bradwell Street
London E1 4DR
Flavia Sollner exhibits at Hold & Freight in East London from 14 - 23 November. Photo: Flavia Sollner