Giren Krogager Lund

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1970, Giren holds a B.A. Honors Degree in History of Art Theory and a Masters in the History of Sculpture from the Henry Moore Institute, University of Leeds, England.

Giren has worked as a curator and supervisor for Rudolf Tegner’s Museum, and as a curator from Arken Museum of Contemporary Art in Copenhagen.

She has lived in Scandinavia, East Africa and England, and is currently living on Maui.

The technique used in her paintings derives from an old European tradition of combining beeswax and linseed oil with pigment colors, applied directly by hand, to thick acid-free watercolor paper. This technique allows for a rough texture, reminiscent of a wall or sandy surface. Giren mixes beeswax and linseed oil in a pan over heat, the wax is then allowed to cool resulting in a hard yet oily substance. Once the wax is rubbed over the paper, Giren begins to add dry pigment to the wax; she will continue to layer the painting in this manner until she is satisfied with the outcome. Once the painting is done, a protective coat of fixative is added to the painting to eliminate any excess pigment. 

 Girens' formal visual language has roots in abstract expressionism, with a focus on the intuitive interpretation of a subject. Her colors are often inspired by the light and shades of Scandanvia, as well as the rich earth tones of Maui and East Africa.