Ouroboros – Astrid x Ulrika Barr

18 October - 10 November

Glass artist Ulrika Barr and Astrid have united their creative worlds in the enchanting exhibition Ouroboros. In artistic dialogue, we have created a unique world where glass and textile merge and invite the viewer to reflect on the cycle of eternity and the enigmatic symbolism of alchemy.

In an undulating Ouroboros cycle, Ulrika portrays how her artwork sprouts from the sand, cracks open, breaks and multiplies. Ouroboros, the ancient symbol representing the union of all things, both material and spiritual, creates an eternal circle of birth and renewal. These symbols weave together circular systems inspired by life, nature, creativity and dreams.

Ulrika has developed a unique technique that combines blown glass with sand casting. Her passion for the roughness and texture of sand casting is evident in her work. Without any complex shapes, she lets her inner child guide and creates by working the sand with quick and direct movements. The contrast between the roughness of the sand and the sandblasted smoothness of the glass creates a fascinating battle between the two elements.

The colour palette in Ouroboros draws inspiration from the four basic chemical phases of alchemy – Nigredo, Albedo, Citrinitas and Rubedo. Each phase represents different stages of change and transformation, and Ulrika’s work reflects this on a deep level.

“For me, this collaboration has been so exciting and inspiring. It has created new possibilities and dimensions in my artistic expression. Astrid’s high quality and craftsmanship are impressive. It reminds us of the importance of accuracy and knowledge of materials in an age where fast consumption often dominates. I am incredibly proud to be able to show my work in harmony with Astrid’s beautiful textiles. It is an intertwining of two different art forms that creates something magical and unique in the art world,” says Ulrika.

“For me, this collaboration has been so exciting and inspiring. It has created new possibilities and dimensions in my artistic expression. Astrid’s high quality and craftsmanship are impressive. It reminds us of the importance of accuracy and knowledge of materials in an age where fast consumption often dominates. I am incredibly proud to be able to show my work in harmony with Astrid’s beautiful textiles. It is an intertwining of two different art forms that creates something magical and unique in the art world,” says Ulrika.

“We were incredibly inspired by Ulrika’s fantastic work. Through our collaboration, we have added and draped textiles in an installation that complements Ulrika’s work. We wanted to create dimension and depth with our fabric California, bringing to life a magical world where glass and textile merge. The collaboration has been a creative cross-fertilization that highlights contrasts and differences. The soft, sheer fabric meets the hard, heavy glass, and interact and lift each other,” says Astrid.

About Ulrika Barr: 

Ulrika Barr is a pioneering artist with a passion for using glass as her artistic medium. Her journey in the world of glass art began with a three-year education in Orrefors before her master’s degree at Konstfack and included work at Stockholms Glasbruk.Previously, Ulrika has been a significant part of the glass artist duo Barr & Levén, where the collaboration with Kristina Levén created a unique union of artistic vision and technical skill.