Monika Dahlberg 'Gatekeepers' (2022). Photo: Maarten Nauw / Framer Framed Monika Dahlberg
Monika Dahlberg was born in Kericho, Kenya, in 1975 and graduated in 2001 from the Minerva Art Academy in Groningen. In the years that followed her graduation, she was experimenting with different mediums and disciplines, but her main focus is photography and the interface of pop culture and lifestyle.
Monika Dahlberg uses various artistic expressions inspired by our contemporary media era of social media, selfies and memes. She uses photography (including selfies, which she refers to as ‘otofoto’), makes collages and designs images. Monika Dahlberg’s colourful collages are brightly coloured, funny, sometimes erotic, and often sinister – the human figures invariably have venomous saw teeth and Mickey Mouse ears. Dahlberg is also interested in anthropomorphism: the attribution of human characteristics and emotions to non-human beings. Her work is expressive, and direct and offers a critical eye, which can also be uncomfortable and confrontational for viewers. Monika Dahlberg was awarded the ‘Work Contribution Proven Talent’ from the Mondriaan Fund in 2020.
Opening ‘Gatekeepers’ (2022) – Photo: Maarten Nauw / Framer Framed
Monika Dahlberg’s work ‘Gatekeepers’ (2022) will be given a permanent place at the entrance of Framer Framed. Listen to Framer Framed Podcast with Monika below (only in Dutch).
