Born in Skien, Åsne Margrete grew up in the countryside of Ulefoss. Here, she developed a passion for painting at a young age, often finding solace in art during her frequent absences from school due to childhood asthma and eczema. Starting with watercolours, she captured the beauty inside her home and out in the picturesque landscapes surrounding Holla farm and the remnants of the ancient Holla church. Early in her artistic journey, she was drawn to motifs such as the contrasting yellows of cultivated lands against the blues of the mountains and sky.
Her travels to France, Egypt and Crete proved pivotal, providing abundant inspiration. Several projects emerged from the experiences and insights gained during these journeys.
As of October 2023, Åsne Margrete was residing both in Crete, Greece and Jylland, Denmark for an extended period, seeking fresh inspiration and creating new artwork. This ended in the solo exhibition “Another Light”, shown in her new opend ad-hoc gallery and studio in Porsgrunn, Norway in june 2024.
Her work during the stay was inspired by the words of the American poet, Robert Frost:
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
«I am interested in the human reactions to nature’s processes and to explore and express the inner nature as well. This meeting gives meaning in a dualistic and polarized world. My art is a brigde between inner and outer where I hope to find a non-dualistic peace. Kindness, music and beauty in general inspires me and of course nature itself.”
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”
Jeg har en dyp fasinasjon for hvordan alt henger sammen, fra celler og «systemer», nervetråder og organer inni kroppen til det som finnes i naturen; inni skogen og i havet i særdeleshet. Jeg opplever alt som forbundet, eller i alle fall er det en tilstand jeg søker, en non-dualisme. Til tider også en magisk realisme. Friheten det ligger i å skape verden i mitt bilde, er noe jeg verdsetter. Å kunne tillate alle sammensetninger, i farger, flater og former, fra det mest utflytende og abstrakte til ønskede symboler og motiver.
In june 2024 Reiten established Art & Body – Paradise on Earth in Porsgrunn. A beautiful location by the river and the new bridge connecting east and west (planned opened in may 2025). Here you also find Kunsthall Grenland and Ælvespeilet kulturhus. Art & Body is an out of the box place for ad-hoc exhibitions of Reitens art and a studio where she has her daily work.
Her ongoing project has the name The Golden Thread, a series of paintings all in same size. As a teaser and beginning 3 of them will be shown as a happening with candles, music, tea and text at Kulturnatt in Porsgrunn in november 2024.
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