Nadja Andersson (She/her)
What marks do I choose to leave?
My work is based on journalistic research and ritualistic creative play. I am heavily inspired by art therapy and expressive forms of fine art, and I see my own practice as visually multi-lingual across art and design-genres. I have previously written and illustrated a picture book for children, and the playfulness of picture books influences my work. I have however spent my time with GSA focusing on stories for adults and creating projects that can provide a platform for women’s voices and shed light on forgotten knowledge. Arguably, inspiration might be the most important healing force shareable through creative making, and I want to think that as a visual storyteller I can create in a manner that is therapeutic to me, and results in work that can empower others.
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Who were the women accused of witchcraft?
Who is drawn to witchcraft today?
I am addressing witchcraft through five interviews with women who hold some connections to the esoteric or occult. Their stories address healing, investigate sisterhood, and challenge sociological issues, using witchcraft as a starting point for discussion. Themes include mediumnity, witch trials, astrology and modern witchcraft rituals, but also gatekeeping within witchcraft communities. The conversations are brought to life by mixed media illustrations and creative use of paper.
Three printed books have been finalised, and the book can be ordered as commission and printed on demand.
Detail
V: Original illustrations
V: Posters
Five posters printed on Favini Dolce Vita paper, that can be folded out and used as artwork.
Pocketwitch
When comparing believed magical properties of selected plants and their nutritional facts, I found these to frequently overlap. Some examples include basil which in Trolldom is believed to lift the spirits of uninspired situations, and which does have some anti-depressant nutritional qualities, or lemon which in witchcraft is believed to be cleansing and purifying and has scientifically proven antiviral qualities. In Pocketwitch I combine nutrition, recipes, magical properties of plants and spellwork in a booklet for kitchen-witches, illustrated with botanical drypoint etchings. This project celebrates forgotten knowledge of natural remedies based on wisdom that has been collected and shared through generations.
Project Links
Pocketwitch: Original illustrations
Garlic
Nettle
Rose
Spellpapers
Spellpapers is a collection of papers made using ground psyllium fibre, and extracts from a selection of plants that have believed healing or magical properties. Papermaking is a meditative process for me that includes looking for the plants I wish to include, collecting and interacting with said plants and researching their potentially healing attributes. Normally in papermaking, a wooden or plastic frame is used to create a crisp and symmetric square, however I intentionally do not use a frame. Instead I let the paper-pulp “free- float”, allowing my papers to assume their shape in an organic way depending on the texture of the pulp. These papers can be displayed as artwork, seen as active spells, or used as surface for art.
Project Links
Psyllium
