A “hidden people” art show

By: Sylvia Rani

Deep in the rocky Icelandic terrain lie the elusive huldufólk, patiently waiting to bestow gifts of misfortune upon unsuspecting travelers. Shrouded in darkness, they extract revenge on those who dare to disturb their dwellings.

Mrakmur is an art label and studio that organizes events where local artists can gather and share their work. Most recently, they hosted an art show devoted to the “huldufólk,” or creatures of the North. More than 50 artists displayed their mysterious, folkloric art at the Artspace Jackson flats. “Huldufólk” means “hidden people” in Icelandic and Faroese, referring to the elves and mystical creatures of folklore. Dark, macabre, and fantastical creations filled the Minneapolis apartment-turned-gallery. Bronze gremlins leered at attendees while Geek Girl Tarot performed readings. Glistening sirens swam through beaded canvases as art goths enjoyed Gastrotruck’s sustainable midwestern cuisine.

Studio Payne was there, displaying a variety of morbid yet tasteful items. Described as a store where “arts and oddities meet,” some of the pieces for sale included a taxidermied duck, a baby bat skeleton, and a mouse head preserved in formaldehyde. “I started out the hobby by collecting, and then it became a way to fund my collecting, and then it got out of hand pretty quickly,” said Cameren Torgerud, the shop’s owner. Many of the creatures he displays are roadkill. His collection also includes a hand which was donated to him by the University of Minnesota’s medical research lab. “Everything I make is one of a kind,” he said.

Artspace Jackson Flats is an affordable housing project for the Northeast Minneapolis artist community. The project aims to foster artist-led community development through providing spaces where artists can be in close proximity to other creative people. Their next gallery opening will be for the Light Spa on Friday, March 30.