Gamechanger

Mie Olise Kjærgaard was born in Denmark in 1974 and began her artistic journey at the age of fifteen. She lived and worked in Copenhagen, London, and the United States, while her Danish roots shaped during her childhood on Mors Island significantly influenced her perspective and artistic path. After studying architecture for six years as an undergraduate at Aarhus School of Architecture, the artist focused on architectural structures, abandoned buildings, and neglected amusement parks in her early works. The works reflected her keen interest in social structure and climate that she continued to explore. A pivotal shift in her artistic journey took place as she deepened her expertise in architecture and art during the MFA course at Central St. Martins School of Architecture in London. Since then, her works have evolved into a unique style with large-scale paintings and dynamic brushstrokes, centering on women's figures from a feminist perspective. Particularly, her turbulent brushwork is not simply a stylistic choice. Rather, it is a reflection of her attention to the body, as she actively moves around while working on her paintings, as well as ideas to imbue the canvas with lively and energetic movements.

Within these dynamic movements, the artist captures the untamed energy of adolescence and personal freedom. They are based on her recollections of challenges and achievements as a child herself, such as riding a bicycle no-handed and climbing trees with bare hands. To the artist, the act of recalling the memories encapsulate ultimate freedom and revealment of her unbounded inner self, breaking free from the fear of going against societal judgments and standards. The women depicted in her artwork possess this bold nature. The brazenly confident women gaze intently at the viewer and immerse themselves in creating their own world. Their hair projects outward in a wild fashion, while their facial expressions appear to be unconcerned with how they should look or behave. They are not merely simple physical movements. Those depictions not only reframe the conventional image of women with vulnerability and passivity into strength and autonomy, but also symbolize robust support and solidarity among women who defy social stereotypes. Accordingly, going beyond simplistic physical actions, the gestures and expressions of women in her work embody deeper and more diverse meanings such as self-assertion, autonomy, and challenges to traditional gender roles.

From this perspective, Kjærgaard's characters confront the male-centered viewpoint prevalent in historical narratives. Placing women at the center of her paintings represents her attempt to subvert the objectification and idealization of women throughout history. The women demonstrate their independence and vigor by actively engaging in dynamic exercises with a powerful and confident look. This approach implies hope and expectation that women can take on proactive roles and write their own stories, rather than remaining as passive objects. Also, it reflects the artist's intention to challenge and create a new narrative about women.

The artist portrays female figures who actively move and master their bodies, participating in powerful and active movements, thus reclaiming their own perspective as women. They play tennis, volleyball, and weightlifting, conquer unrealistic animals that might appear in myths, and form a robust community. At the same time, her artwork is set in a timeless parallel universe without any hierarchy. This equal and harmonious place is created through the coexistence of mythical creatures and daily items such as tennis rackets in a single scene. She named this unique imaginary world as “Moirania,” where all creatures are artistic by their existence, and used it as the primary backdrop of her artwork. In Moirania, temporality and spatiality are surreally blended, allowing for more bold expressions. Here, the artist explores various themes such as human destiny, nature, and interaction, free from the physical constraints of reality.

In the utopian and fantastic landscapes, the Moiranians enjoy volleyball, tennis, and other everyday activities. At this point, we can get a glimpse of an alternative reality in which the ordinary and the extraordinary are intertwined and find remarkableness hidden in our daily routines. Moreover, the unconstrained settings and expressions in her works embody liberation, vitality, and the historical struggle for women's rights and freedom. Notably, tennis plays an important role as a symbol of women's empowerment and liberation. The depiction of female figures wielding tennis rackets like weapons is a combination of the elegant image of sports with women fighting to assert their positions and potential within societal structures.

Combining her purposeful anger toward society and tradition with beautiful fantasies of her childhood, Kjærgaard creates a distinct and lively aesthetic that resonates deeply with people living in the contemporary society. She continues pushing the boundaries of the conventional portrayal of women to expand and innovatively transform their narratives through her paintings. Kjærgaard's work not only encourages women to express and fulfill their desires, but also provides meaningful direction by creating a universe where they can stand independently. Furthermore, she believes that a quiet yet substantial impact can be made in regions and political circles where women's rights are restricted. Brimming with boundless expression, anger, joy, confidence, and chaos devoid of fixed standards or leadership, her works challenge traditional gender roles and the male-centered gaze, presenting multifaceted views on women's experiences. Her profound philosophy and series of works contribute to the continuation and reinterpretation of feminist art, ushering in a new chapter in the visual narrative depicting fearless and independent women in the contemporary art history.

Originally published in Mie Olise Kjærgaard: GAMECHANGER, FOUNDRY SEOUL, March 18, 2024. Translation: Jaeyong Park (Seoul Reading Room) / Suhyun Sarah Baek.