Anna Uddenberg

Anna Uddenberg
Born	1982 (age 42)Stockholm, Schweden
Education	Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Städelschule
Known for	Intallation artist
Social Media	Instagram: filet_minion_thong

Anna Uddenberg (born Stockholm, Schweden; 1982) is a Swedish inhalation artist, Her work discusses female identity in relation to consumerist culture and uses installation and performance as visual platforms to explore the performability of gender.

Uddenberg lives and works in Berlin.

Biography of notable life events:

Family influence:

Anna Uddenberg grew up in a lower-income suburb of Stockholm, which has become more affluent.  She said her mother was Sweden’s first certified female boatbuilder and a beautiful woman who often had a fuzz of sawdust about her. She was less interested in “coded femininity,” however, so Uddenberg gleaned what she could from pop culture, which fascinated her. “I loved pink and was obsessed with feminine stuff,” Uddenberg remembered. It pushed her to went overboard.

Student life:

Anna Uddenberg originally wanted to learn fashion design when she was in school, but her works were not appreciated by her fashion design teachers, so she turned to art and discovered her talent unexpectedly. Eventually, Uddenberg studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm (2006–2011) and at the Städelschule in Frankfurt (2009).

Major events that influenced the artist:

Around 2009, while Anna Uddenberg was commuting to Frankfurt’s prestigious Städelschule from her hometown in Stockholm, she opened an inflight pamphlet. Inside was an ad selling alternate identity “experiences”: become a rockstar for a day with a cheering audience, or a supermodel and spend an afternoon at the studio, it beckoned. “I was fascinated by the question of why one would like to buy something that’s so obviously fake,” said Uddenberg. The incident helped ignite a new direction in Uddenberg’s practice. Seeing this AD, Anna Uddenberg relates that our sense of self is shaped and ultimately driven to become a commodity.

Work:

Since graduating, Anna Uddenberg has continued to create her own art exhibitions and film works.

Solo exhibitions (selection):

• 2023/24 Anna Uddenberg ― Premium Economy , Kunsthalle Mannheim
• 2021 BIG BABY , Kraupa-Tuskany Zeidler, Berlin
• 2019 Power Play , Bundeskunsthalle , Bonn
• 2015 Anna Uddenberg + Nicolas Ceccaldi , MEGA Foundation, Stockholm
• 2013 Booty Dummy Demo , Dold Projects, Sankt Georgen im Schwarzwald
• 2012 Casting Couch Expo , SL's Konstmonter Odenplan, Stockholm
• 2011 Truly Yours , Galleri Mejan, Stockholm

Group exhibitions (selection):

• 2021 Tense Conditions, Staatsgalerie Stuttgart
• 2021 Supernatural. Sculptural Visions of the Body , Kunsthalle Tübingen
• 2020 Crack Up - Crack Down, Ujazdowski Castle Center for Contemporary Art, Warsaw
• 2019 The Mounted Man , Museum Folkwang , Essen

Notable contributions/works section:

Anna Uddenberg's notable contributions and works encompass a diverse range of sculptures that have garnered critical acclaim and contributed significantly to her recognition within the art world. One such work, "Transit Mode – Abenteurer" (2014–16), marked a turning point in Uddenberg’s career, drawing widespread attention for its innovative approach. Another notable exhibition, "HOME WRECKERS" at The Perimeter in London, showcased Uddenberg’s earlier sculptures characterized by contorted forms, eliciting a visceral response from viewers. In 2016, her piece "Journey of Self Discovery" further solidified her reputation as a prominent contemporary artist.

In 2022, Uddenberg presented "FAKE ESTATE" at New York Sainte, challenging conventional notions of space and identity. However, it was her installation "Continental Breakfast" at Meredith Rosen Gallery in New York in 2023 that catapulted her to viral fame. This captivating artwork captivated millions of viewers, with its intricate contraptions leaving many bewildered yet intrigued by Uddenberg’s exploration of contemporary culture. In the same year, her exhibition "Premium Economy" at Kunsthalle Mannheim further showcased her ability to provoke thought and inspire discourse through her artistry.

Artwork:

Themes:

Anna Uddenberg's artwork delves into a variety of themes, touching upon the boundaries of female gender and reality, as well as the exploration of distorted feminine forms. A key aspect of her work is the concept of "performativity," particularly concerning gender, which she examines through her sculptures and installations.

Issues explored:

Uddenberg's art also grapples with contemporary issues, notably the impact of the digital age on our self-perception and identity formation. Through her work, she explores how social media and algorithms shape our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world, while also critiquing the pervasive influence of consumerism and smartphones in modern society.

Furthermore, Uddenberg's sculptures often delve into themes of gender and power dynamics, challenging traditional notions of female identity and highlighting the restraints placed upon the female body. By confronting these complex issues in her art, Uddenberg provokes thought and discussion about the intersection of gender, identity, and technology in the contemporary world.

Awards:

• 2022: Hector Prize
• 2023: Overbeck Prize for Visual Arts