Swedish artist Irja Bodén's ceramic sculptures bring to life a variety of landscapes and organic creatures, each taking on multiple shapes before our eyes. Her amorphous sculptures reflect her deep connection to the five elements of life: air, water, fire, earth, and aether or space. With a keen awareness of the natural world, she explores the cycle of life and the impact of our actions on our fragile existence. She examines the uncertainty of a world grappling with the effects of climate change. How is it possible to coexist with nature in a harmonious way? By utilizing ceramics, the artist invites us to recognize human fragility and reconstruct a new behavior as inhabitants of this world. The expressionist aesthetic of Boden’s body of work evokes a tactile feeling in what she calls non-functional objects, but which serve as mediums for discovering new narratives where the past, present and future converge.

Made of glazed ceramic, the Blah Blah Blah (2019) series showcases Bodén’s remarkable technique in portraying landscapes of the Northern countries.  Landscape III (2019) features a stunning combination of lilac, gray, and earth tones that illuminate the protuberances rising from the ground. An outstanding bulky form suggests the presence of a bird, while the rhythmic volumes evoke trees. A smaller element that alludes to a mushroom accompanies a darker gray shape with a tenuous curvature that rises above the rest, creating an amalgam of colors and natural elements that emphasizes the grandiosity of the natural scenery

Landscape IV (2019) offers a splendid palette of pastel colors, including lilac, blue, green, yellow, and white, evoking the feeling of a winter day during the blue hour when the landscapes in Scandinavia are pure beauty. The gesturality of this sculpture encourages us to imagine our own landscape. For example, an opening in one of the shapes suggests the flow of air, creating the impression that these mountains are right under the clouds or perhaps emerging from the water.

As part of this series, Mouthpiece for a Landscape (2019) merges two dark blue circular elements embedded in a semi-circular structure whose predominant colors are a combination of orange with gray. This work transports us to the middle of the mountains, to contemplate the Aurora Borealis and how the colors titillate in the infinite sky.

Would it be possible to encapsulate experiences in a vessel? Could we transform our dreams into reality inside of a vessel? Bodén’s ceramic sculptures invite us to think of the possibility of containing experiences, dreams, memories, and fantasies in vessels where time transcends matter. Her sculptures' assemblage metaphorically embodies the urgency of adapting to today's uncertain world by offering both control and flexibility.

The sculptures of this series reveal cavities, textures, and patterns that draw us into her landscapes. The To Dress A Ptarmigan (2022) series draws inspiration from Bodén's Northern Swedish hometown.  Passage #13 (2022) features the colors of the Arctic landscape, such as blue, purple, orange, and pink, giving life to a biomorphic structure. In the main body, there are oculi and circles drawn around its circumference, accentuating its capacity to contain space. The hollow base provides verticality, while inside the vessel, flowers and mushrooms flourish.  Made of glazed earthenware, Passage #12 (2022) showcases a vibrant combination of colors: yellow, orange, blue, and greenish tones, alluding to the richness and fertility of the land. The creamy-colored vessel stands on a blue base, from which an intriguing long blue feature emerges and surrounds the structure. The undulating rim of the vessel provides a striking contrast to the tulip-like flowers in full bloom.

Bodén's sculptures are not only visually captivating and thought-provoking but also encourage us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world. Her use of gestures and multiple shapes creates an evocative experience, revealing the mystery and beauty of the Northern countries and their ever-changing landscapes. Through her art, she invites us to contemplate new ways of living in harmony with nature, inspiring us to take action and become responsible stewards of the planet.

--  Emireth Herrera Valdés, writer and curator