Dagbladet Søndag - 20.11.2011

Interview in Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet. By Lars Myhren Holand

Loving & Holding ltd.

Quality! Magnhild “Damselfrau”Kennedy is an uncompromising designer making masks out of London.
(Words and pictures published in Dagbladet SØNDAG 20.11.2011.)

Copyright Lars Myhren Holand 2011. All rights reserved.
http://larsmyhrenholand.com/blog/2011/11/20/damselfrau/

"Ballad of..." magazine

Damselfrau mask, Strigoi, featured in "Ode to Lilith", a story photographed by Paulina Otylie Surys in "Ballad of..." magazine this month.

http://paulinasurys.co.uk/

Damselfrau, Doors Showcase. London.

Photos by Dineke Versluis

                                                            http://www.dinekeversluis.nl

A view of the Private view

click the title for my flickr set.

Damselfrau Solo Exhibition at Doors Showcase!

Doors Showcase is pleased to present Damselfrau, the first solo exhibition by self-taught maskmaker Magnhild Kennedy.

Damselfrau, which means Maiden Wife in German, is also the Norwegian artist’s pseudonym. This abstruse play with language and identity signals the artist’s penchant for layered meanings and her desire to defy simple interpretation. Her masks are not merely objects of beauty displaying her craftsmanship or even a device of titillating self-concealment for the wearer. They are loaded with history and stories.
Whether exquisitely beautiful or seemingly absurd, the masks are made with delicate fabrics, embroidery, beading and paint. Materials are gathered from many far flung places and different eras - lace inherited from Norway’s first feminist, hair from old Japanese Geisha hair pieces, glass beads picked off the Christmas decorations off Champs-Elysees. They allude to the intimate relationship between past and present as well as the tensions created by fusing diverse elements.

Magnhild Kennedy lives and works in London. She has been practising as a mask maker since 2007. Her masks have been acquired by private collectors and worn by acclaimed electronica duo Royksopp. Damselfrau opens on 20 October, continues until 26 November 2011.

Private view the 20th of October at 6pm to 9pm. Doors Showcase, 20 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3DU. Come!

Norway

My dear fellows. These are sad and strange days. Onwards and upwards. Together!

Arrakis

Commissioned Piece.
1880's lace, sequins, elastic, satin ribbon.

Mayes

Antique French lace w jets, beads and metal wire. Vintage trim. Late 19th Century silk ribbon, faux pearls painted w metallic paints. Vintage Chezc ribbons.

Y & U(birds)

Starched pale green cotton, metallic paint, sequins, embroidery and embroidered applique, antique French beaded applique, satin ribbon, French antique jet beads.