SARKOFAG
(2024)
A moment of remembrance for a demon-possessed painting from Eastern Karelia.
It was painted in the 1930s by an unknown artist, commissioned by a family living there, and depicts the grandmother of the former owner. The painting was passed on to a new owner, who recorded an interview with the family about the painting's history. Eventually, I inherited it with the purpose of displaying it one last time under controlled conditions. After that, it was to be burned according to the agreement.
The painting was in my possession for two weeks, and for much of that time, it was wrapped in cloth in my wardrobe. It was taken out for one hour in order to conduct a written analysis of it. Afterward, it was wrapped back in the same cloth and placed in the sarcophagus I had built. No one other than myself and the previous owners had seen the painting. The installation was shown for an hour to a group of about 20 people. After the viewing, I burned the sarcophagus with the painting inside.
Installation view
Oil paint on panel, wood frame, cotton fabric.
Mdf box.
95x85x36cm
The painting was placed with the motif facing down toward the floor in the sarcophagus.
The lid was glued shut. The shape of the sarcophagus is inspired by the organic forms in the painting's motif.
A camera was installed in the room as a symbol of surveillance. Its shadow on the wall resembled the wings of an angel.
An analysis of the painting was written after observing it for one hour. Before and after that, the painting was wrapped in cloth and stored away.
From left to right
Page 1: Title. “Analys av den besatta målningen.” (Analysis of the Possesed Painting)
Page 2: Introduction. A transcription of a recording, translated from Finnish, in which the original owner recounts the painting’s history.
Page 3: Work specifications. Details about the location where it was created, information about the frame, the painting, and damages, in detail.
Pages 4 & 5: Analysis of the painting in 5 parts: Visual elements and Composition, The Woman (in the image), Light in the image, Color and execution, Symbolism.
Link to full analysis below:
click here for *Swedish* (original)
click here for *English*