Harbinger of Hope Through History and Time by Nina Saunders
Commissioned by platform BUNKER
15-24 May 2025 – Part of Art Matter Festival
Harbinger of Hope Through History and Time is a site-specific artwork by Danish/British artist Nina Saunders. Known for her deformed, upholstered furniture and taxidermy animals, Saunders transforms them into complex characters that evoke both morbidity and tenderness, reflecting on life’s fragility.
The exhibition presents a sculpture depicting a surreal vision of a woman made of cement compound which mirrors the bunker’s raw concrete structure. The harshness of the concrete is juxtaposed with the softness of Sandersons Rose & Peony fabric and upholstery.
The woman is pushing a 1900s watering cart, symbolizing women’s invisible labor throughout history. Saunders’ work honors women’s struggles and the ongoing fight for recognition, linked to the legacy of the Female Artists Society and platform BUNKER’s values. platform BUNKER was founded by two residents from the KKS grant residences at Rolfsvej 10 and is physically located in the property’s backyard. The garden in the backyard surrounding the bunker will also feature a part of the artwork.
Nina Saunders (b. 1958) is a Danish/British artist. Her work balances between the macabre and the tender, inviting viewers to reflect on the fragility and complexity of life.
Saunders studied Fine Art and Critical Studies at Central St Martin’s College of Art in London. She has lived and worked in London for many years, with her works featured in both national and international museums. Her 2009 solo exhibition Katy’s Convoy was expanded and included in the Horsens Kunstmuseum collection in 2023. Saunders also took part in Danish National TV series Kunstnerkolonien in 2024.
Credits
Photos by Ole Akhøj
This project was supported by The Danish Art Foundation, Frederiksberg Kommune, Frederiksbergfonden and William Demant Fonden.
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