1xRUN Thru Interview
If I Could Hide In Your Dreams by Stella Im Hultberg
1xRun: Tell us a bit about this piece, when was it created?
Stella Im Hultberg: This piece was created using Acrylic & Colored Pencil on Wood in 2011. It was part of a group show titled East West Connect that Arrested Motion organized/curated at Above Second Gallery in Hong Kong. I had started this piece with some other ones that year for Thinkspace Gallery, but didn’t think it fit so set it aside to be shown separately. It will also be shown for the first time in the US at Copro Gallery’s Anniversary show next month.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Stella Im Hultberg: The initial idea was something almost abstract that I had made in a dream – layers of greenish purplish colors and textures that created this giant blobular shape. I started adding some hair-like texture on it, then it evolved to have faces at a certain point, as if they’d been hiding in there. I was (still am) obsessed with the idea of the hair as something to hide yourself with – an extension of yourself, but something to be protected by or hide behind, depending on how you look at it.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Stella Im Hultberg: The hair part takes a very long time and this piece is one of my largest pieces at 18”x24” – I think I worked on it off and on for possibly 6-8 months.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Stella Im Hultberg: This was a way for me to ameliorate the gap between the abstract and figurative, to a certain extent, at the time. I’ve always struggled with reconciling two visually different languages and tried to make it happen with each new piece (to some degree).
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Stella Im Hultberg: Hopefully something about it moves them.
1xRun: What have you been up to the past 2-3 months?
Stella Im Hultberg:
I had a small show in Portland, OR in May with smaller works – mostly drawings and watercolors. I’ve been taking a break and working on some side projects this summer.
1xRun: What are your plans for the rest of the summer?
Stella Im Hultberg: I don’t have a lot of shows lined up – I actually had to cancel some big shows I had planned for next year since my husband and I are expecting a baby this fall. :) I will have a studio sale or two, maybe a couple new small prints, working on some side projects I’ve been pursuing, and getting ready for the new baby.
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Stella Im Hultberg: Website – Blog – Facebook – Flickr – Twitter & Instagram @stellaimhultberg
-1xRun