Art in Play

Sport and football have been a big part of your life. Where did art enter the picture, and how have the two worlds shaped each other? 

As young people my parents both left Denmark with a desire to experience and learn from the world. I was raised primarily in Hong Kong and also in the Netherlands and London. My parents instilled the mindset of what I believe is art; courage and curiosity. As a child and throughout my life I am active in different sports, and it has deeply shaped the person I am. Both art and sport are spaces that demand you to be disciplined, to challenge and to surprise. That's what I find interesting, questioning and exploring ways we participate. Who and what is included, and why or why not? Sport and art give me the questions and agency to explore those ideas. 

Your work has a very distinct visual language. How would you describe your approach to art, and what tends to spark a new piece or idea?

I feel an urgency when I paint and I’m drawn to imperfection. I try not to think too much. Sometimes I have a concept in mind and let it take shape, and other times I just begin. New ideas often come from confronting my own identity. I feel a responsibility to continue a legacy of change for women in art and sport who built the space before me.

How did the collaboration with the adidas Copenhagen store come about, and what inspired the artworks you created for the space?

Adidas contacted me and proposed a collaboration for their new Brand Center Store in Copenhagen. They commissioned 7 paintings that related to the city and different sports like football, running, etc. It was a dream and privilege to create artwork for Adidas. 

For the adidas Copenhagen store, one of your artworks has been translated into a rug – a completely new material and format for your work. What was it like seeing your art move from artwork to a tactile part of the interior?

It's fantastic. I think different materials and forms always bring new perspectives to a piece of art. Since the carpet is something people can walk on, and the painting represents a team, I am curious how that relationship can help create a sense of belonging in the space. 

When people encounter your work, whether as an artwork or now underfoot as a rug, what do you hope they take away from it?

I hope my art makes people feel closer, builds bridges, and challenges us to think about making room for others.