Emeli Theander

Statement

My works often portrait people that don't fit in the "real" world. So I create playgrounds and habitats for them. Parallel spaces in which they can exist as they are. The faces of my creatures often times express certain moods and create individual atmospheres and ambiances. I want to weave an intricate and fine net of sweet and scary moments.

I find a lot of inspiration in old photographs of sideshows and circuses. This is where I come across siamese twins, albino families, hyper intelligent monsters, mutated animals and other freaks.
But also out on the street and in random peoples faces is where I find them. Sometimes I like to focus on certain parts of different myths and ghost stories, like the ones about the witch masters in Tanzania that believe, that a body part of an albino will bring you wealth, or about Gwishins, Korea ghost girls that still have unfinished business in our world, and then I re-tell them in my paintings.

Also books, movies, music, lyrics, my childhood experiences and memories, art history and the works of other artists are important sources of inspiration for me.

I mostly draw and paint in oil, but I also work with film and silk screen prints. When I wheatpaste out on the streets, I go by the name of Chin Chin. She is my own siamese twin. The name is taken from the song "Kitchen" by the band Les reines Prochaines. Painting for me is a point of collected concentration and a way to play. I sometimes try to incorporate "associative thinking" in the process of my works and I am always happy when certain "accidents" happen, that force me to rethink and redo the piece.