I looked at my roots - missing
I zoomed in on my toes
These rarely exposed body parts
Became very individual and familiar
I started walking
Until I reached a point of perspective
Giving me the connection to the city from above
I was confronted with the city's population
I saw the inhabitants' limitations
Set by the boxes we grow up in
Some aware that they are the light in themselves
They break out to choose a place in life
By choice comes confrontation, communication, separation
But everything beginning with choice
Has a growing perspective
Something worth remembering
Something worth saving
By not using the ability to choose
Life stays safe and limited
just another empty bottle to recycle
Camilla Newhagen is an emerging artist from Copenhagen, Denmark, now living in San Francisco, California. In 1999 she graduated from the College of Danish Design, which included a one semester exchange program at California College of Arts and Crafts (CCAC).
After re-locating to San Francisco, she assisted Clifford Rainey, Sculptor and Chair of the Glass Department at CCAC. She also taught kiln casting at Public Glass of San Francisco. In 2001 she co-conducted a seminar on raku firing techniques in Kyoto, Japan and has since focused on making a family and working in her San Francisco studio. She is represented by Micaela Gallery.
Camilla's Scandinavian heritage is apparent throughout her work. She works in a variety of mediums including glass, wax, ceramic, bronze casting, painting and drawing. She focuses on the human body with influences from Auguste Rodin, Alberto Giacometti, Eva Hesse and Antony Gormly. Her thoughtful work concerning the human experience is done in a sombre, often Spartan, northern manner, yet expressed in innovative fashion.
Frequently her work focuses on her move to America and absorbing the modern American culture, from a European's perspective. Her cast glass series "Impede" speaks of the adjustment to life in a foreign place expressed through her feet and toes as they find fertile soil in the sidewalks of San Francisco. The quirky installation pieces tell of her versatility and introspection, as well as demonstrate her training in the classic human figure. She takes a personal experience and surprises the viewer by applying it as a larger societal commentary. Social commentary is also apparent in her body of work titled "Decaying Super Heroes" exhibited in Paris, France October 2005.
Her path is one of original use of materials seen in a refreshing and thought-provoking style, which stimulates curiosity and makes her work hard to pass by.
