Jeanette Åkerberg
At The Ode To we are always curious to learn more about creativity and artistry, so we asked Swedish ceramic artist Jeanette Åkerberg to tell us a little bit about her life, her art and her sources of inspiration.
What do you call your series of artworks?
– ‘Mothers & ladies’.
What technique have you used?
– My sculptures are hand built and made with stoneware clay.
What inspired you to create the artworks you have made for The Ode To?
– My sculptures are created as an homage to women and the beauty found in diversity. I aim to create art that opens up conversation, awakens something in the beholder's eye, and showcases the equally gorgeous existence of different body types. As a first-time mother-to-be this spring, I am in awe of the female body and wanted to create a series of sculptures depicting mothers. These sculptures serve as symbols of the range of experiences women face during pregnancy, from feelings of longing and hope to loss and everything in between. I chose to portray the mothers with the same glaze as their children, emphasising the connection and sense of belonging between them, but with a more expressive appearance to convey their signs of life.
Can you tell us about your background and how you came to be an artist?
– I discovered ceramics in 2020 and immediately fell in love with working with clay. Through experimentation, I found my niche in creating expressive sculptures of women, which I began posting and selling on Instagram. Since then, my work has been exhibited at various venues, including Women in Art at the Miss Clara Hotel, Hoby Kulle Herrgård, Blå Hallen in Höganäs, and WAY Gallery. The most rewarding aspect of my work has been the conversations I've had with other women. It's through these exchanges that I've found inspiration and motivation to continue creating. All these incredible women are my biggest inspiration.
How would you describe your art and aesthetics in three words?
– Soft, diversitile, and sensual.
What other artists inspire you?
– Franca Sozzani is an inspiration to me for her vision, creativity, and perspective on life. Bodil Malmsten, too, is a source of inspiration, with the beauty of her words unlike any other.
What we love about Jeanette Åkerberg:
We simply adore how Jeanette Åkerberg uses art to explore femininity, and to spark meaningful conversations.
