Artist: Maria Friberg

 alongside us # 6, 2007, c-print, 140 x 113 cm

 alongside us # 1, 2007, cibachrome, 36 x 98 in

still lives # 11, 2005, c-print, 170 x 248 cm

still lives # 3, 2004, c-print, 150 x 197 cm 

 still lives # 8, 2004, c-print, 155 x 150 cm

still lives # 2, 2004, c-print, 120 x 163 cm

 Still from Blownout, DVD, 1999

C/O, 1999, c-print, 197 x 146 cm 

Me, myself and you, 1995-1997

Bio:

“Maria Friberg is a Swedish based photographer. A traditionally trained artist, she moved her medium over time from large-scale painting into large-scale photography. Her show “Transmission” is currently on show at Conner Contemporary from March 20 – May 8th, and features photographs larger than life making the audience sucked into them almost instantly. She’s exposing the vulnerabilities of men and further exploring how those vulnerabilities are, in fact, attractive. Friberg contrasts power suits and exposed poses in order to open a discussion on “how men think they should be” versus “how they truly feel”. This makes the men in her work not so much human beings but “signs of men”, trying to find their place in time of turmoil.”

http://i1.exhibit-e.com/connercontemporary/70c28665.pdf

Relation to my work:

I love how minimal Friberg's work is. I'm a big fan of the negative space. They're so simple, yet say so much. The interaction of the figures being engulfed by their surroundings provides a great deal of tension. The faces are glazed over and lack any definite emotion. This makes me more interested in staying with images because of the sense of mystery. It is also important that Friberg uses random people as models and allows for some level of chance. I believe that if too much of a shoot, or image, is planned then there isn't room for the situation to create itself and the outcome can become static. Allowing things to have a more natural flow will yield better results. 

Inspirational Quotes:

“I’m trying to let go of my need to have so much control. It’s impossible to have full control, and maybe not so interesting. I think more and more that it makes the art works too predictable, and that we need the uncontrolled.”

“The scale is very important. I like that the viewer can be a part of the photo physically. They are not windows that you’re supposed to peep into.”

“I ask people in the street, so I don’t really know the models. Basically, I just direct them the way a movie director would. Where to stand, how to move, etc. But they do add something with their presence. Since they are not professional models or actors they can not be totally controlled, which is a good thing in this case.”

“Most of my work revolves about themes of power, masculinity and man’s relationship to nature. In my images, I create ambiguous tableaus that challenge preconceived notions about identity, gender and social hierarchies.My most recent pieces look both outwards, to the challenges in contemporary society, and inwards, to a meditative state of mind. In these photographs and videos, the isolation and solitude of the individuals reflect issues in society at large.  The men in my images are signs for men, trying to find their place in times of turmoil.”

Artist Website:

http://www.mariafriberg.com/

Gallery Representation:

http://www.gallericharlottelund.com/

http://www.connercontemporary.com/

http://www.galica.it/

http://www.galerievoss.de/

Interview:

http://i1.exhibit-e.com/connercontemporary/70c28665.pdf