Bente Skjøttgaard

At the risk of sounding narcissistic – Look at me ! – the title of Bente Skjøttgaard’s new exhibition is not the epitome of discretion, for two reasons : first of all, because of the source of inspiration, the subject matter itself : a particularly reflective species that ineluctably catches the eye because of its luminous beauty. It is the so-called Sea walnut, a Comb jelly referred to as Mnemiopsis leidyi in Latin. Second of all, because of the great damages that this small auto-fertilising hermaphrodite has been causing since its accidental introduction in the Black Sea by the water spillage of cargos in the 1980s : a preoccupying biological and environmental reality that requires attention.

This invasive “beauty” with astonishing survival and adaptation capacities spreads at an exponential rate across seas, which are – however – not its regular environment. It catastrophically reduces the fish populations and other species, which it feeds off in order to create sufficient energy for its vibrating paddles and its very intense gametogenesis. Incredible predators, these creatures are touching nevertheless because of their particularly smooth, soft being and their gracious presence. Bente Skjøttgaard has studied them closely and her new sculptures are inspired by their shapes, their changing colours and their movements. Looking at them, the submarine ballet and its regular rhythm – that of the profound breathing of an original large lung – come to life… and this in the static matter of stoneware.