To Dress a Ptarmigan is a series of ceramic sculptures that refer to the ongoing destruction, changing landscape, and relocation of my hometown, Kiruna, Sweden, where I grew up. These were caused by mining faults beneath the city and the environmental impact of the mining industry. Kiruna, situated above the Arctic Circle, comes from the Sami language, which means "Ptarmigan," a bird native to this region. The work's title parallels dressing a bird for a meal, which requires careful dismembering and reassembling and the piece-by-piece relocation of the city. The work's narrative also nods to the tundra landscape of long winters, its arctic flowers, and vibrant summer light. The rich glazes of the work evoke the polar night with its deep, luminous night sky, contrasted with the midwinter hues of soft pastel colors.

To Dress a Ptarmigan is an ongoing series of ceramic sculptures. It includes several sub-series: Passage, Aurora, Ort, Fe (iron spirits), Oracle, and Earth Shell. These works explore themes of loss and memory. Some of the titles include "You're In My Heart, Sorry To See You Go," "Condolences," "Will You Remember Me When You're Gone," and "You Danced for Us, We Dance Back." They embody environmental consciousness and convey a sense of reaching a breaking point. (click on the image)

IRJA BODÉN

IRJA BODÉN