Tracing the Border with Shwan Dler Qaradaki and Sigfrid Hernes

Norwegian artists Shwan Dler Qaradaki and Sigfrid Hernes have been exploring the border; from the rushing waters of the hydro-power station at Skogfoss in the south to where the border meets the Barents Sea at Grense Jokobselv in the north.  During the journey the artists have been introduced to the ecosystem of the borderlands at the Svanhovd environment centre, the Pasvik Kraft hydroelectric plant whose dam spans the Russian and Norwegian banks of the Pasvik river at Skogfoss, local food at Birk Husky and Ivar Øverli cheese maker and an introduction to the history of the border by Pikene’s honourary border secretary, Frode Berg.

The artists bring unique perspectives to BAR International.  Qaradaki’s artwork is connected to personal narratives and autobiographical memory through powerful and emotive storytelling.  His multimedia artworks use photography, illustration and animation to create a bridge between past and present and between the two worlds of his adopted home of Norway and his birth country of Iraqi Kurdistan.  In contrast, Hernes’ artwork interprets the landscape of the Norwegian north and through photography, combined with sketches, reinvents the classical aesthetic of landscape photography.

Both artists are working independently on projects.

See Shwan Dler Qaradaki’s work at his website and Sigrid Hernes’ work at her website.