The works of Carleton psychology graduate Karina Bergmans, in terms of physical scale, are finally catching up to her name.
The Ottawa-based multidisciplinary artist’s most recent large-scale installation work is currently on display in “Fieldwork,” in Perth, Ont.
The art installation has three giant graffiti-style words, spelling out “OOH AH WOW,” made out of tarps and stuffed with hay. They have been installed outdoors and will remain there for the entire winter.
Bergmans, a 1996 psychology graduate, said it was during her years at Carleton that she realized sewing, coupled with her degree, could potentially be channeled into creating art.
Bergmans had always been curious about people’s behaviour and motivation, she said, which is why her art toys with people’s perception. She said she believes in making her art approachable, often in a humorous way.
“Fieldwork” stems from an ongoing, relatively smaller-scale “TEXT-ing” project, composed of brightly coloured letter-shaped pillows. Both projects invite the public to play with creating words and taking pictures, she said.
“TEXT-ing” has been touring since 2007 in galleries and more unconventional settings. For example, Bergmans said she took a photo of the word “COZY” on snow-filled benches and streets.
Early in her career, Bergmans carved out her principle in making her work open to “public intervention,” she said.
Textiles have always played a role in her art and its interaction. “We are so familiar with textiles,” Bergmans said “In upholstery, towels, bedding, etc . . . There’s a tactile connection there. The sense of touch is immediate and gratifying . . . you feel a texture, you can say it’s soft, so it’s visceral.”
Her work plays on the physical and mental familiarity we have with textiles and languages, she said.
One of her whimsical projects was keeping a lost “Mitten Database” from 2001-2007. She has also displayed sculptures of words in their original script made out of cultural fabrics. These are just a few indications of Bergmans’ inclination towards interesting stories behind recycled textiles.
She said she often remixes the second-hand fabrics from their previous context to create not only her art pieces, but her clothing line as well.
Currently, Bergmans is a resident artist at Banff Centre — an arts, cultural, and educational conference facility in Banff, Alta. She said she’s planning a sculpture of human organs made from a supply of mis-manufactured military-issued socks. Others will be made out of scraps of wedding dresses.
This project will give her an opportunity to weave her ideas together in a larger scale, she said.
