Helgi Thorsson

Bellissimo Thorsson

Exhibition

26/02/2016 –

– 27/03

27/03/2016

Rough, somewhat clumsy workmanship, the veneer of eccentric colours, bizarre humour, cheesy nostalgia and the sincere belief that art can do something good for the viewer, are some of the ingredients of Bellissimo Thórsson. The exhibition space of 1646 is filled with objects sculpted by hand, painted and assembled from scratch, all natural ingredients that, he says “give it an aura that is so desired today”. Then there is also the advanced pottery and concrete sculptures that are inspired by pan flute music.

Thórsson uses classical materials as bronze, clay and canvas that he combines with the latest technology in lights and sound. Thórsson’s visual world is absurd and amusing, attractive and nauseating at the same time. At a first glance all seems somehow overwhelming and exaggerated but in the inner context, his installations, sculptures and paintings also carry a touch of serenity and spiritual search.

Helgi Thórsson tried to look into the deep and hidden worlds with the help of mediums and a hypnotist where he found confusing and strange information. The hypnotist sent him to a pool of psychedelic colour bringing a new colour pallet to the surface.

The first medium told him the story of his past life as a painter from the Netherlands, he misused the help of models and became a sex addict and a drunk, focusing on technical skills in his paintings – lacking inspiration – he died a lonely man. The advice for his current life was don’t go on the same path – Thórsson has stayed away from models.

The second medium told him that he was working on very old themes, as an artist in earlier civilizations, in the time of Mu and Atlantis. Bringing to life ancient long forgotten imagery – the medium’s advice was to go into a deep meditation to get connected to his spirit guide. So far this has not been going too well as he drinks too much coffee, but nevertheless watches ancient mystery episodes on YouTube.

Info

About Helgi Thorsson: Thórsson (b. 1975 Iceland) is a visual and sound artist. He studied Sonology at The Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, received his BFA from the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in 2002 and an MFA from the Sandberg Institute in 2004. Thórsson was part of the artist initiative Kunstschlager in Reykjavik and ABC Klubhuis in Antwerp. As well as having handled his brush and chisel for the past decades, Thórsson is a member of the bands Stilluppsteypa and Evil Madness.

Links