Interview with Jette van der Lende
Jette van der Lende was born in Copenhagen, Denmark and raised in Oslo, Norway. Her oil paintings have been exhibited in several countries, where she has been in juried exhibitions and biennales. She has received several awards for her paintings.
Could you please introduce yourself and tell us how you started in the arts? and your first experience in art making?
I am Jette van der Lende,
Since I was borne in Denmark, living in Norway, I wanted to experience the ultimate Norwegian design - rosemaling. If I could learn that, I would be fully Norwegian - I thought. What I did learn was that the oil colors did something to me, floating together making new colors - I was mesmerized, and totally sold. I also learned that it was something else I should paint. I went to art school under Reidar Finsrud. He taught me that it was ok for me to loose myself in details.
How would you describe yourself and your artwork?
I am conscientious, honest, laborious, lazy, serious and light-hearted. I like challenges. I like to immerse myself. When it come to my art, I am colored by my work as a draughtsman at an architect office. I like complex simplicity. I want my paintings to look simple, yet complicated enough to understand that something is behind the surface. I like the duality of making an everyday item to beautiful poetry, and at the same time give the viewer an meaningful message, if you look deeper. Sometimes the duality just shows symbolism, and sometimes focuses on problems in the World, that needs to get attention.
I replace the human touch with items that symbolize and describes what I am looking for.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from my every day life. Items around me. Sometimes the News. Sometimes an experience. Sometimes a discussion. Sometimes just the beauty. And sometimes just by beginning to work.
What emotions do you hope the viewers experience when looking at your art?
That depends of what painting they will be looking at. Generally I wish the viewer will feel something. In some paintings I wish they feel that I have invited them in to a place were time has no meaning. If I can stop the time, that would be awesome - a dream. Then, when looking at other paintings, I hope they will think about the problem I try to reveal - perhaps even consider changing their mind…. I have seen that, sometimes, and that is, for me, a really big thing. Like an older Mexican soldier and his grandchild did, looking at my painting “you’r either for us or against us” The grandchild wondered why I put these very different things up against each other. When I told him it was painted that way because if you kill someone, you always kill someone's baby. He teared up and wanted to go home to have a long talk with his grandchild. You cannot ask for anything more. And that is why I love art.
When do you know that an artwork is finished ?
I know before I begin, how the motif should look.
And I paint my motif over and over again in my head, before using my brush, and still I have to say: I rest upon my daubs.
What has been the most exciting moment in your art career so far?
That is impossible to tell. It is always exciting coming to another country and meet other artists. But perhaps winning EMMA ( were all the other artists was the jury) was a big moment. Or in Italy, when the European Confederation of Art Critics Awarded me to the Second Prize for painting.
How long does it take to produce one work?
I am a slow painter, so all from 4 weeks to a year - or more.…
What excitting projects are you working on right now? Can you share some of the future plans for your artworks?
I am trying out some new stuff Before I know how it goes down, I would like to be quiet about it. So the future plans is a bit on hold right now.
I have never tried to print any of my paintings, so I am also trying out that for a special exhibition with my paintings - against violence
Do you have any upcoming events or exhibitions we should know about?
I will be exhibiting in Fredrikstad. Further exhibitions, I will await.
Where do you see your art going in five years?
I am not sure. Since I am trying out some new stuff, I am very open. I have a lot of plans - but If I could wish something, it would have to be a solo exhibition in a great gallery.
