Frida Kersti Marie Wannerberger

The Resting Heart

150 x 90 cm
oil on canvas 2023

The work of Frida Wannerberger (Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design 2013, Royal College of Art MA Painting 2023) explores reflections, ideas and observations where thoughts on womanhood and girlhood in the context of power are recurring, both as subject matter and in the form and execution of her works.

There is an interest to discuss notions of female representation and agency by both embracing and subverting them. Partly though the female figure itself, in her portraits often isolated and seemingly without a context. Equally recurring are narratives expressed through symbolism, both through visual cues in the ornaments and through topics discussed as expressed in the titles of the works.

Partly through form by seeking to understand what happens when the subjects of her portraits are rendered in various mediums and formats. Her work recurrently touches on a search and manifestation of the balance between strength and fragility.

Exhibitions

2023

Soul Art Centre, Beijing (group)

Adjacent Colours, D Contemporary London (group)

Take me, I’m Yours, Haricot Gallery London (solo)

Traces of Light, Tang Contemporary Art Beijing (group)

Look Mum No Hands, paintings at the crossroads, 9 French Place London (group)

2022

Pringle of Scotland, solo show, London

Third floor, group show Royal College of Art

Selected Commissions

Bonhams Auction House Liberty of London

Vogue (US, IT)

Wallace Collection Somerset House

Gucci

Orla Kiely: A Life in Pattern, Fashion and Textile Museum, London

Talks

2018 Workshop, Victoria and Albert Museum, London

2017 Lunchtime Conversations, The Courtauld Institute of Art, London

Education

2022-2023 MA Painting, Royal College of Art

2011-2013 Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, Central Saint Martins

2008-2009 Foundation Diploma in Art And Design, Central Saint Martins

I’d like to think that my work is about how to navigate a space that is visually feminine, not womanly, but feminine but without adhering to traditional female traits through taking up space traditionally occupied by men by discussing ideas that are reflecting on the past and shaping the future.

I believe in the universe and I believe in infinite connections between people and the dreams that we have - I find peace in the thought that we can all shape and tweak the circumstances to make things happen.

Whether it is in our minds only or not - I believe the driving forces we have ourselves can have a knock-on effect on other people and propel them into paths in their life that then have the same knock-on effect on other people. It is all interlinked and I think that is very beautiful. Always trust your intuitions and desires!

It is my wish that my work will become part of the fabric that makes up serene but thought provoking private spaces and act as triggers for conversations, inspirations, actions and above all exchanges.