Lunds konsthall presents a retrospective exhibition with the artist Anna Ling, born in 1971 in Gothenburg and since many years living in Malmö. In the exhibition, which is on view throughout the summer, we meet the artist’s strong interest in nature and our relationship to it, and works that are characterised by both beauty and serious effects of climate change. We follow Ling's observations, from coral reefs to a local limestone quarry, in large, ink drawings and films, and through the artist's long-term field studies we also see the effects of the measures taken to restore nature. Ling has exhibited at Moderna Museet Malmö, GIBCA and Charlottenborg, Copenhagen. The exhibition runs May 20 - August 27, 2023.

Ling’s works map environments that make up her own surroundings and that interest her for personal and political reasons. The earlier works often survey the relationship between humans, architecture, and nature, while the later works focus more on environmental issues and climate change. These urgent issues of contemporary life have increasingly conditioned Ling’s interest and her quest for applicable knowledge, predominantly within the marine sciences but also in related disciplines such as geology or meteorology.

Many of her works are preceded by field studies, and her working method may be compared to that of the scientist. She gathers material that she then studies, evaluates and uses in various contexts. This allows her to reach insights based on her own observations rather than second-hand information. Thanks to her close interest in nature, Ling was able to observe changes over time throughout the areas where she has been moving. She has noted a destructive development, caused by human intervention, but also active measures taken with the purpose to restore the natural order.

A characteristic feature of Ling’s oeuvre is the long series of works, executed in ink on paper where she records her observations of nature with infinite patience and great sensitivity. In later works, she utilises sculptural elements, as in the installation Reefs (2023), which takes as its starting point the death of coral reefs, caused by climate change. Ling's unique ability to share her sensory experience of nature is visible in the large-scale work suite Abyssal (2023), which consists of photographs taken on a summer night where jellyfish under the sea surface appear as shining stars in the dark water.

As a part of the exhibition, the documentary Enclosed Moments (2012) by Jens Klevje & Fabian Svensson is shown. The film is an observation of Limhamn's limestone quarry, and we get to see nature's ability to adapt in a landscape exploited by humans.

About Anna Ling
Anna Ling (b. 1971, Gothenburg) lives and works in Malmö. Ling graduated from Malmö Art Academy and works with research and field studies with a focus on nature and biodiversity. She has exhibited among others at Moderna Museet Malmö (2022), Nordiska akvarellmuseet, Skärhamn (2021), GIBCA (2021), Lunds konsthall (2018), Konsthal Charlottenburg, Copenhagen (2017), and Göteborgs konsthall (2016).

About Lunds konsthall
Lunds konsthall by architect Klas Anselm was opened to the public in 1957, one year before Moderna Museet in Stockholm and the Louisiana Art Museum in Humlebæk, Denmark. Lunds konsthall offers free entrance and is centrally located at Mårtenstorget, one of the city’s main squares. Lunds konsthall is a venue where contemporary art is seen and discussed. All its activities are informed by consistent experimentation. Its programming creates and reflects the diversity that characterise the art scene as a whole.The ambition is to be a significant player within the international contemporary art world. Therefore Lunds konsthall aims at maintaining high professional standards in its two main areas of activity: exhibitions and public programmes. Three exhibitions are produced yearly. Lunds konsthall shows established artists as well as those who are on the brink of a promising career. Lunds konsthall also participates in various international and regional collaborative networks. Moreover, exhibitions are commissioned from external curators, to make different voices heard.

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(Image: Anna Ling, Abyssal, 2023. Photo processing Karl Isaksson)