On Jan. 30, Taylor’s Metcalf Gallery opened its doors to showcase something unique. Henrik Söderström’s art sat on display, inviting curious passersby to stop and observe. The sign read, “Something’s afoot. Get out of the boat.”
The bright color palette and odd shapes draws eyes to the creative use of mixed media art. Söderström mixes everything from different mediums to painting styles, yet the pieces remain cohesive. Stepping into the room feels like stepping into a piece of art.
Söderström is an artist, designer and teacher, having created and directed sets and exhibits for places like the i.d.e.a. Museum, the Society for Freshwater Science, the Grammy-nominated Music of Difference Project and many more. Currently, he and his wife teach at Indiana Wesleyan University.
Using everything from painting, sculpting, casting and other forms of art-making in his work, every piece of Söderström’s art has dimensions to it in a way that makes it stand out. Sometimes, the art actually comes off the wall, and each piece seems alive and bright through its colors and structure.
Henrik demonstrates his vital faith and love of life, while still acknowledging the challenges of the world in his work, said Rachel Smith, professor of art and Gilkison Chair at Taylor University.
“The work is vibrant, and beautiful, and fresh and interesting, and yet has all kinds of little elements interspersed in the imagery that hint at the real difficulties of living in a fallen world," she said.
Söderström’s art almost has an abstract quality to it at times, but several images depict clear meanings. The imagery of the ram can be seen in multiple paintings, including the large series of paintings hung on one of the walls in the Metcalf Art Gallery. The image of a Circle K gas station was also featured in multiple paintings.
Söderström talked a lot about the concept of the Holy Spirit being present in the middle of everyday life. It has inspired his work and outlook on life. He said that the fact that the Lord can be everywhere from a gas station to inside a shopping cart is so miraculous.
What Söderström is trying to do is connect Heaven and Earth, Jeremie Riggleman, assistant professor of art at Taylor, said.
“I think he’s presenting in a way that reminds us of the physical world that we live in but at the same time alludes to the world that we can’t really quite see yet. I think that’s really important with his work, that Heaven and Earth are colliding,” he said
Söderström used the phrase “Just for the joy of it” many times while discussing the creation of his art. He tied it back to God in creation when he created everything with the intent of joy. Human artists are a small reflection of God’s incredible artistry, and it is exciting to participate in that.
Söderström’s concept of joy is evident throughout his work: in the color palette, in the seemingly randomness of things, and in the way he designed the art at its core. Every single piece of art is incredibly unique, but it is still evident that they were all designed by the same person.
Smith explained more about the title, “Something’s afoot. Get out of the Boat.”
“The way in which that walk of faith toward Jesus is one that it sometimes encompasses doubt, and so we flounder a little bit, but then, we look back to Jesus in responding to him and that for Henrik, the work that he's producing, I think is that call, both to believers, but also to others,” said Smith
We need to recognize that there is risk, but there's also something that we can trust in,” she said.
The mixture of so many different types of art leave interesting details to be found everywhere. There is something afoot in every corner of the room. The Metcalf Gallery show is open Jan. 30 through Feb. 23.
