Congratulations to Sylvia Schwenk whose video work A Shared Space was recently acquired by the Museum für Sepulkralkultur in Kassel. Schwenk’s video work will be on display as part of its permanent collection.
A shared space is a visual documentary that gives a rare insight into what happens before and after a funeral service.
The film opens on a graveyard on a beautiful serene sunny day. Grave diggers are working in a quiet, harmonious way preparing a grave for a burial. The birds are chirping, the sun is shining – but all is not as it seems.
Sylvia is an artist of international standing who performs and exhibits her work in Europe, the USA, Canada, India and Australia. She is the recipient of numerous commissions, awards, grants and scholarships. Her work is held in public and private art collections.
Her work creates new perspectives of the everyday and the familiar. Her practice looks at the relationship between performance and the everyday, reflecting upon the significance and beauty of commonplace activities and spaces.
Sometimes she captures a moment, space or action with photographs, films, text and/or installations. Other times she creates works which focus on relationships that emphasise collaboration, dialogue and audience activation. Sylvia’s practice unites art with social considerations. She works closely with communities in projects that explore localissues, creating works of art that are both context-responsive and universal in their presentation.