News of the World: Stephanie J. Frostad

Stephanie J. Frostad’s latest work will be on view in the Mungas/Volk Gallery through the new year. In News of the World, Frostad visits narratives that include Norse mythology, biblical symbols and references to contemporary issues. Most of these works focus on ravens and the natural world and in many, human subjects appear in the background of her detailed paintings, flushing out the meaning of the individual work. Frostad states, “….in stories and paintings, songs and plays we encounter themes that are relevant for every generation, even as circumstances change. This is one reason I am drawn to history, mythology and folklore as I investigate my current interests. Imagery and allegories of other times and places continue to illuminate our lives today.” A series of sketches, in pencil, inkwash and paint are displayed on a wall inviting the viewer to look more closely at the artist’s process. Referring to the title, the artist explains, “In Norse mythology the god Odin appears with animal companions, including two wolves and two ravens, Hugin and Munin. The name Hugin means Thought, while Munin has been variously interpreted as Memory, Emotion or Desire. Each day, these birds would fly out to gather news of the world and report back to Odin. I love the notion that ravens might be engaged in such reconnaissance. What’s more, this legend aligns with what we know scientifically about the capacity of ravens to learn, reason, communicate and remember. I consider these borrowed characters as witnesses who bring historical consciousness and reason to what they observe.”

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website