ARTIST STATEMENT

I’m a self-taught Digital Artist. Growing up in Sweden I was surrounded by wild nature and immersed in the vast flora and fauna of Fairy tales, and I believe this childlike wonder and thrill of exploring fantasy worlds and magical stories is evident in my work.

 

My process starts with photography and then moves into editing. It’s in this phase where I can truly pour from my imagination, creativity and heart.

 

The characters in my art are originally self-portraits, but I don't refer to myself as a self-portrait artist. The photograph of me is edited until it has morphed into a character in a play and that character could be anyone. It could be you.

Additional photographs are also taken by me and in the final piece they all come together, blended until there is a natural unity.

 

I use surrealism and symbolism in my art as a gateway through which we can view life differently - from the outside looking in. Seeing thoughts, emotions and ideas played out in an artwork can help us feel connected to the world as these are all human experiences, shared by us all.

 

I feel my art is well described by Francesca Brunello, curator at MADS Art Gallery in Milan:

“The artworks by Lena Rising are magical visions of unexplored worlds ….. We find ourselves walking, following the rhythm of nature, its pulsations so deep that we can see every cell within it. As if in a spell, we feel Mother Nature’s hand holding us as she accompanies our steps towards a new journey”.