Ulrika Aneer

Artist statement

The renaissance philosopher Francis Bacon claimed that to be able to rule in a fair way, a prince must have access to a library, a botanical garden, a zoological garden and a Wunderkammer; a collection of fantastic things brought together through expeditions to all parts the world.

The renaissance Wunderkammer worked as a microcosms; a model of the whole world, so that the prince could easily study all the miracles and wonders very handy in his own home. I am the prince; organizing, finding connections between objects, inventing new categories and dissolving old ones.

While sorting my expressions and objects, I always discover new relations between them. This goes back to how it could work during the renaissance: if you couldn´t find a particular object for your collection, it was fine to order a replica. Often this piece was made after hearsay, and so: new truths were created. A lot of my processes works in a similar way. Striving for something particular I often lose myself on a crocked path of discoveries. In the work of getting the pieces together; new truths are made.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Since I work with both textile and metal, I often let the materials borrow expressions from one another. This exchange system goes both ways and creates various forms of material metamorphoses.                                                In whatever I do, craft is my best friend and companion, always by my side.

The burgundy snails winter cover (2021) 

Steel, slag, copper, geod, Florentine ball, winter covers from burgundy snails and wire. 

I was digging in an old flowerbed behind the smithy. It was early spring and still cold. Strange things appeared from the soil; white and slightly cupped, like half yin and yang signs.

Some burgundy snails had dug themselves down for the winter. I apologized and quickly dug them down again. 

Later I realized that my finds were abandoned winter covers; doors against cold and drying.

Photographer: the artist

Bio (CV)

Ulrika is a trained metal artist and also a tailor. She has a Master of applied Arts at Steneby/University of Gothenburg, and  works as a free artist with arts and craft, using both metal and textile in her work. She works with teater costume, holds workshops and performs commissions for public and private clients, and also exhibits her work frequently.

Ulrika is a founding member of the artist community Not Quite, in Fengersfors, Sweden.

Represented by:

Museum of Design and Craft Gothenburg

The Church of Sweden

Värmlands County council

Trollhättan Health Centre