Christine Istad

Structural elements are a recurring motif in Istad’s work. The urban landscape, characterized by towering buildings and reflective surfaces, stands out as a central theme in this series. In Istad’s pieces, materials like glass, steel, and aluminum are depicted with meticulous precision, while certain aspects of the architecture are emphasized in a way that makes them feel both familiar and abstract at once.
The exhibition's title, refraction, is evident throughout the series, reflected in the disruption of the surface, patterns, and rhythm. These disruptions, occurring in the reflective, polished surfaces, serve to engage the viewer’s gaze. In her practice, Istad is constantly seeking new ways to approach the material, aiming to create something fresh and distinct.
Istad uses manipulation as a key tool in her photographic process. By employing various techniques, she alters the expression of the images, transforming the polished surfaces into something that is almost tactile, giving them a pictorial quality. The contrast between the metallic, reflective surfaces and these nearly organic characteristics creates a dynamic tension in the expression.


Short bio:
Istad is living and working near Oslo. Istad is a professional artist working with photography, video and installation. Istad has during the last years participated in several solo and group exhibitions in both Norway and abroad. She has exhibited at a.o. KUBE Art Museum, Henie Onstad Art Center, Oslo Art Center, Landmark Bergen Art Hall, Bomuldsfabriken, Tromsø Art Hall, Fundation Dom Luis, Portugal etc. She has participat¬ed at the regional exhibitions and her works have been purchased by a.o. Kube Art Museum, REV Ocean, National Library, Norwegian Bank, Prime Minister´s Office, UiO, LUAG Collection, PA, USA, Bærum Municipal Art Collection, etc. Istad has made a series of public, site-specific projects such as; Traveling SUN 2021-2016, MOON at USF Verftet, several landscape projects at Henie Onstad Art Center, DeFence Oslo etc. She has received her education from Westerdals School of Communication and Parsons School of Design in New York. Istad has received a number of project grants, artist scholarships and support from the government of Norway.
Istad has been working with video art since 1998, and her videoes has been screened many places in Norway and abroad, including festivals and exhibitions. 7 study trips to Japan from 2006-19, 3 study trips to USA from 2017-2020, and artist in residence at Circolo Scandinavo in Rome in 2017.
She has together with artist Lisa Pacini made the light sculpture and road trip Traveling SUN and exhibited the project in Norway, England, Iceland, the Nederlands and USA. Traveling SUN: http://artubeart.blogspot.no
Istad started together with colleagues in 2016 the artist activist group Guerrilla Plastic Movement that uses visual means to focus on the plastic pollution in the ocean.

Living and working in Bærum, near Oslo, Norway.

Contact:
mail@christine-istad.no

Galleri Semmingsen, Oslo Norway

Galleri LNM, Oslo Norway

Sunderø Art Gallery