Exhibition

Can’t See the Wood for the Trees / Made in woods

The joint exhibition Can’t See the Wood for the Trees / Made in woods is a collection of diverse works by the artists Nicolas William Hughes and Geir Backe Altern. Both artists are showing works which explore their own connection to nature specifically in this case to Norwegian forests. Their works explore differing approaches to their own relationship with the forests of southern Norway. The thoughtful and often comedic approach of both artists aims to query specific aspects of our contemporary relationship to nature.

Nicolas William Hughes (b.1984) A conceptual artist from South Wales. Hughes has a BA(hons) degree in photographic Art (USW Newport) and a Masters Degree in Contemporary Dialogues (Swansea Metropolitan University). Nicolas’ work has been exhibited internationally. He has lived and worked in Norway for 4 years. Nicolas’ research based practice explores man’s place as part of nature, observing the parallels and/ or differences between nature and contemporary society. His works aim to pose questions surrounding specific aspects found within societies relationship with nature and what that potential relationship could be in the future. Frequently using absurdity as a artistic tool, adding humor which can both mirror and/or counter the seriousness of topics which the works explore. For this exhibition Nicolas is showing an amalgamation of previous works including performed photography and video along with interactive installations and works in progress which form part of his research for his final MFA project.

Geir Backe Altern (b. 1978) Geir was born at a farm outside Vikersund, Norway and lives and works in Oslo as an artist and curator/facilitator within the art-field. Geir works with different techniques with a main focus on installations and interventions in the public space. Geir graduated with a BA from the Tromsø Academy of Contemporary Art, Norway 2010. Beside his own practice, he has been involved in several artist run spaces and D.I.Y projects in Oslo and Tromsø, Norway. Often his works take form of Stedsspesifikt Snekkeri (site-specific carpentry). Temporary architecture with relational intensions. Cabins, hideouts or events. More recently he has been collaborating with the swedish artist Gustav Samrelius doing wildlife performances and skateboard-art. In this exhibition Geir is showing a selection of selfies as well as works mimicking a museum collection and some work pulled out of the large archive of his ever-ongoing search for the perfect forest. Geir is a Member of September Split, Norwegian Sculptors Society, OBOS and Actic

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