Taking as his starting point history, mythology, religion, as well as written and oral narratives, Alexander Tovborg draws on the stories that have come before us in order to explore and re-contextualise classical archetypes. In looking at the ways through which we have built our narratives in the past, he proposes a new reading of our current social and political situation, examining who we are and where we find ourselves today in the here and now.

His laborious and layered technique can be seen as a kind of rhythmic practice which allows Tovborg to submerse himself in various worlds, creating a kind of visual language that runs throughout the work, spanning different series, figures and motives. This visual language connects the work, but also works to connect the differing narratives, reminding us of the similarities which run through many of the world’s origin stories. This emphasis on the various symbolisms that are found throughout these ancient narratives is something that Tovborg sees as essential to his practice, as he asserts the weight and power that images have within our contemporary culture, as well as how easily they can manipulated and used against us.

Acting on their behalf, Tovborg engages in an effort to keep their meanings open, giving us each the chance to see in them all that they encompass.

Alexander Tovborg (b.1983, Denmark) graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 2010. With solos at Overgaden (Copenhagen), GL Strand (Copenhagen) and Rudolph Tegner Museum (Dronningmølle) among others, Tovborg has notably shown at ARKEN (Ishøj), ARoS (Aarhus), IMMA Museum of Modern Art (Dublin), Spiritmuseum (Stockholm), Holstebro Kunstmuseum (Holstebro), and KØS (Køge). His works are represented in the public collections of Kunsthalle Bremen (Bremen), Hammer Museum (Los Angeles), ARKEN (Ishøj), ARoS (Aarhus), and Museet For Religious Kunst (Lemvig). Tovborg opened a solo show at Kunsthal Charlottenborg (Copenhagen) in June 2023.

carrie emberlyn