Danish contemporary artist Thyra Hilden challenges traditional artistic representations of femininity in her upcoming exhibition "Ride the Tiger" at Gallery MAXUS101, presenting a series of powerful, conceptually innovative works that transform canvas into dynamic, sculptural expressions of feminine power.
Hilden's latest works deviate from conventional painting techniques, treating canvas as an active material that is deliberately cut, bent, and reshaped into monumental forms resembling vulva shapes. These pieces are not passive representations but vital expressions of feminine agency that demand recognition and redefine artistic boundaries.
Gallery owner Anthon Maxus positioned Hilden's work within a significant artistic lineage, drawing comparisons to influential artists like Hannah Wilke, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Louise Bourgeois. The exhibition continues Hilden's exploration of dialectical forces, previously demonstrated in her internationally recognized "City on Fire" projects where cultural monuments were virtually engulfed in flames.
The exhibition features both large-scale wall installations and smaller wall objects, demonstrating Hilden's versatility in scale and material while maintaining a cohesive artistic vision. Her approach transforms traditional artistic mediums, creating works that exist between painting and sculpture, challenging viewers' perceptions of artistic categorization.
Drawing inspiration from the Hindu goddess Durga, Hilden's works symbolize a powerful feminine energy that confronts and subverts patriarchal structures. The exhibition text, written by Maria Kjær Themsen, contextualizes the artwork within broader cultural conversations about feminine creative power and resistance against suppressive systems.
By cutting, twisting, and reimagining canvas, Hilden creates what she describes as "wall-vulva" that represent a proud, undeniable feminine force. Her artistic process mirrors her previous explorations of transformative energy, seeking to sublimate raw, potentially destructive forces into creative expressions.
"Ride the Tiger" represents a significant phase in Hilden's artistic development, offering a nuanced, powerful commentary on feminine representation in contemporary art. The exhibition invites viewers to reconsider traditional artistic narratives and engage with a more dynamic, empowered understanding of feminine creativity.
