Architerior met up with Stockholm based glass artist Ulrika Barr who shared an insight into her intuitive work with glass and the playful way of handling the material. Ulrika’s work can be a little messy and rough as she explores contradictions in the material. She feels that her pieces are often connected to femininity, organic shapes and the body. Her art journey is connected to her life journey and has changed with it. Next up for Ulrika Barr is the exhibition ”Ouroboros” at Astrid Textiles in Stockholm showcasing some of her new glass pieces, which can often come across as they were made of stone, lava, or ceramics. A solo exhibition in 2024 is also on the agenda.
How did you find your way into art?
My mother, she was a creative person, and worked as a preschool teacher. She used a lot of creativity when she worked with the children both at school and our home. We painted every day when I was growing up, and when I got older and found joy in the wood shop or with metal or clay and then finally glass, she was always there as my biggest supporter.
Was education in art a part of your journey to become an artist?
Yes. At first I educated myself to be a crafts person going to school at Orrefors for 3 years, and had a vision of blowing glass as work for others, but that changed during the internships visiting other artists. They inspired me to dig deeper into my own creative process and personal expression. So, that´s what pushed me towards Konstfack for example.
What techniques do you use?
I mostly work with glass as my main material, where I explore blown glass, sand casted glass and some stained glass.
How would you define your art style?
Intuitive, I listen a lot to my gut and work the material in a very playful way. It can be a little messy, rough and I often work with contradictions in the material. But I would say it´s often connected to femininity, organic and the body.
Has your style or technique changed over time?
Yes, I would definitely say so, just as you grow as I person and life happens, this thing very much reflects in the art as well. For myself it´s just like a mirror in that way, showing where I’m at in life, so I would very much say that you can trace my art like a story of my life.
If you had to summarize your art in three words, what would they be?
Colorful, organic, and brutal.
Which artists or art styles have inspired you?
Georgia O’Keeffe, Luis Barragan, Gunilla Kihlgren, I´m very inspired by Art Nouveau, Brutalism, philosophy and a little bit of magic or fantasy.
When other people view your work, what are their reactions and thoughts?
We will soon find out…;)
Is there something in particular that you wish to convey to the viewer through your work?
Curiosity, I like to play with perception and create an interest or urge to touch the material for example. A lot of my glass does not always look like typical shiny glass, it can come across like stone, lava, or ceramics.
When starting on a new artwork, what goes through your head? How does your planning and creation process look like?
For myself a lot happens in the actual hot shop when I’m working in the material, one thing leads to another. A mistake can be a good thing, working with the chance, the flaws. But of course I also have a inspirational process of reading, going to different exhibitions to gather new input or ideas. But mainly it´s a matter of were I’m at emotionally, what do I want to say right now and how can I translate that into the material. I see my art and the material glass as way to express my thoughts and as an extended language.
What are you working on right now?
Right now, I´m working on different pieces that´s going to be exhibited at Astrid textiles in Stockholm, October this fall 2023 and a solo show during 2024. And, some for now secret stuff😉
How has Covid-19 affected you as an artist?
This is a big one. When Covid hit it was a very tough period. I had just finished Konstfack with my masters degree one and a half years before, so everything was rolling and then suddenly everything stopped. I was working in a duo called BarroLevén that I´m very proud of, together with Kristina Levén. But unfortunately she got sick with Covid and is since two years now long term sick with Post Covid. So, it has definitively changed my professional career as an artist, putting a very good working relationship on hold and backing the tape a little bit. Now I’m going into a new era as a solo artist after working in a collab for 4 years.
What are the best things about being an artist?
For me it’s the thrill of feeling, almost like a hunt, in the making process, when I feel that I’m so close to find the right thing, but not yet. That´s exciting! And also that I´m using my whole body and mind at the same time in the creative process.
What are the worst things about being an artist?
I´m always working.
Are there any special moments in your art career that you’d like to share – moments that perhaps brought you forward, gave you clarity or changed you?
I will always remember the day me and Kristina shared a coffee on top of the stairs at Konstfack, when we decided that we should work together as a team. Learning how empowering it is to be two people, two women joining in art and craft. Our professional partnership has given me so much knowledge, fun, exciting exhibitions and different meetings.
If you could go back to the beginning of your art career, what advise would you give yourself?
Be bolder, be tougher and do not overthink everything😊
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