Artists: Arild Horvei Instanes, Søren Krag, Bjørn Mortensen, Anthony Charles Morton, Manuel Portioli
Curated by: Emanuela Romano At: A pick gallery
Opening: March 13th, 2025, 7:30 PM
Exhibition Dates: March 13 – May 3, 2025
A PICK GALLERY is pleased to present Søvnrykk – Nordic Perspectives, a group exhibition featuring works by Arild Horvei Instanes (Bergen, Norway, 1990), Søren Krag (Silkeborg, Denmark, 1987), Bjørn Mortensen (Bergen, Norway, 1977), Anthony Charles Morton (South Africa, 1992), and Manuel Portioli (Reggio Emilia, Italy, 1987).
Søvnrykk – Nordic Perspectives offers a captivating vision of contemporary Nordic art, uniting five artists whose visual languages and sensibilities vary, yet share an interest in universal themes such as identity, environment, spirituality, and technology. The exhibition creates a space for interaction, tension, and mutual enrichment, weaving together points of convergence and divergence.
One notable common focus is the relationship between material and immaterial, explored through diverse but complementary approaches. Søren Krag and Anthony Charles Morton both investigate spirituality, albeit in distinct ways: Krag blends technology with sacred imagery, referencing religious symbols through digital media, while Morton constructs abstract, meditative spaces that invite introspection. Both reflect spiritual dimensions, yet through contrasting aesthetics—Krag with a lo-fi digital approach, Morton with the physicality of painting and abstract symbolism.
Environmental concerns also unite the group. Krag and Bjørn Mortensen offer different interpretations of art’s relationship with sustainability. Krag addresses the ecological impact of plastic, using Lego bricks as symbolic media, whereas Mortensen engages directly with clay, evoking an ancestral connection to the earth. Manuel Portioli, for his part, explores the sensory and emotional engagement with the environment through abstraction, encouraging a perceptual reflection that goes beyond representational nature.
Differences among the artists emerge in technique and cultural influence. Arild Horvei Instanes develops “extended painting” with airbrush on fabric, creating immersive, multidimensional works. Morton focuses on philosophical and theoretical abstraction, drawing inspiration from Miró and Bess to construct symbolic narratives. Portioli, the only Italian in the group, introduces an urban, street-art influenced visual language, distinguished by provocative expression and vibrant color, contrasting with Krag’s minimalism and Mortensen’s material formalism.
Cultural specificity further enriches the exhibition. Krag’s Danish background blends sacred imagery with technology, incorporating elements of Christian iconoclasm and Islamic geometry. Morton brings South African roots and Japanese influences, fostering a profound connection between art and philosophy. Portioli adds an Italian Mediterranean perspective, characterized by bold colors and street-inspired aesthetics, offering a vibrant counterpoint to the Nordic formal and material approaches.
In sum, Søvnrykk – Nordic Perspectives emerges as a diverse and cohesive project that fosters dialogue among artists of varied backgrounds without forcing stylistic synthesis. Its strength lies in the plurality of techniques, themes, and cultural influences, promoting Nordic art in Italy while stimulating reflection on universal themes such as spirituality, environment, and identity. This polyphonic curatorial approach opens new avenues for connection between seemingly distant artistic worlds.
