Stephen Friedman Gallery - London.

Stephen Friedman Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of new paintings by Swedish
artist Mamma Andersson. This is the artist's first solo exhibition in London.

Mamma Andersson's paintings of haunting landscapes, strange interiors and mysterious people
are at once magical, ominous and compelling. Scandinavian trees such as birch, pine, aspen
and spruce feature among Andersson's motifs together with animals, children, classrooms and
libraries. In Andersson's paintings, adults look disorientated, interiors are disordered and the
environments portrayed are unstable.

The manner in which paint is applied to Anderssons' canvases is both delicate and dramatic.
Subtle throws of light reveal uncanny details while broad, dark brush strokes imply a more
sinister setting. Andersson's paintings are loaded with symbols, historical references and
allusions to local Swedish art and culture. Characters are often removed from their original
contexts and are given new identities and meanings. Existing images from art history, popular
culture and news photography are also recyclyed to form new narratives in her work. Steeped
in Swedish colourist tradition, Andersson's paintings recall the fearful atmosphere of fairy tales
and local folk legends.

Mamma Andersson has exhibited extensively in Sweden and was selected for the Carnegie Art
Award which toured to Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, Helsinki and Reykjavík in 2000-2001.

Forthcoming exhibition: Michal Rovner, 29 November - 26 January 2003

Gallery hours are: Tuesday to Friday 10am­6pm and Saturday 11 am-5pm
For further details please contact Kirsten MacDonald Bennett on +44 20 7494 1434