by Ida Renzicchi
Translated by the author
ELI SKRAM DYBLIE, SHAPES IN MOVEMENT
Eli Skram Dyblie, sculptor, lives between Oslo and Vasanello, a town in the Tuscia area of Viterbo, in central Italy. If I had to define Eli, who I have known personally for many years, with just one word, I would say that she is a ``joyful`` person, a woman who, while she talks to you, smiles at you with her whole body, transmitting a desire to live and positivity. She is the perfect hostess who welcomes her guests with courtesy and elegance, putting them at ease. A nature lover, she practices outdoor sports in all seasons of the year: from swimming, to cycling, to long walks in the country landscape. Years ago, her extraordinary energy led her to face, in the company of her friend Elisabeth Bengtson, an incredible bicycle journey from Norway to the center of Italy. Artistic education teacher, now retired, Eli has a natural aesthetic sense that leads her to pay attention to every detail and to grasp art forms even in small things. In addition to dedicating herself to sculpture, her great passion, she paints and holds watercolor courses. Conversing with Eli Skram Dyblie is always stimulating and it’s a pleasure that I’m happy to share with the Geapolis web-users.
Eli SKRAM DYBLIE, Freedom
Q: Eli, what is Art for you and where does your love for it come from?
A: I have always loved Art, which is why I studied ceramics at the Bergens Kunsthåndverksskole from 1970 to 1973. I consider myself a potter/artisan and, as such, I am a member of the Norwegian artisans. I have had my own laboratory for about 50 years and have participated in personal and collective exhibitions.
Q: When did you start your artistic activity?
A: In 1976 I debuted with my first exhibition in Mosvik, Trøndelag. I opened my own workshop and moved to Volda where I helped start “Gluggen Galleri og Verkstedutsalg” together with visual artist Astri Eidseth Rygh and textile artist Lizzy Poulsen 1977-85. After moving to Oslo, I opened my own workshop in the old Strømmen Stål and graduated in ceramics from Staten’s School of Crafts and Art Industry which I attended from 1988 to 1990.
Q: Where do you draw inspiration from for your creations?
A: I listen to music a lot and draw inspiration from dance, ballet and yoga. I really like the human body, especially the female one for my stylized and partially abstract works. I also paint, usually in black and white, large images of people dancing and moving highlighting the long lines of the moving body.
Eli Skram Dyblie, Prayer
Eli Skram Dyblie, Blue Yoga
Eli Skram Dyblie, The Tower and The Queen
Q: What kind of materials do you use?
A: Currently, I dedicate myself to sculpture. I prefer to work with white clay without glaze and with smooth, soft surfaces. But also with raw clay when I want to get a rougher feel.
Q: What are your favorite subjects?
A: As I was saying, I really like the human body but anything, any object can give me emotion and inspire my creativity.
Eli Skram Dyblie, Yoga 1
Eli Skram Dyblie, Yoga 2
Eli Skram Dyblie, Yoga 3
Q: Eli, you were a teacher. What was your experience with students? What do you think you conveyed to them and what do you think they conveyed to you?
A: I studied Art Pedagogy at Oslo University College (today: Oslo Met) from 1993 to 1994 and obtained the teaching qualification. I have taught in colleges and secondary schools (Strømmen and Jessheim) for about 20 years. I ran the “Elis Art School for children” under the patronage of the OfS at the children’s schools of Melby and Gjel-lerås from 1990 to 1994 and, from 1992 to 1996, with the support of Akershus Kunstnersenter, Pilotgalleriet, I taught artistic subjects. My activity as a teacher was giving and receiving at the same time. Educating young people in the culture of beauty is a unique experience that allows you to enter the depths of the soul of people who are growing both physically and spiritually. Sometimes, my role as a teacher was simply limited to helping students express the artistic sense already present in them.
Eli Skram Dyblie, Entanglements
Eli Skram Dyblie, Dancer
Eli Skram Dyblie, Mountain
Q: Where does your love for Italy come from, in particular for Vasanello?
A: After setting aside our savings, my husband and I wanted to buy something that would belong to our family in the future. Our friends, Sidsel and Arild, who had previously purchased a house in the historic center of Vasanello, had described the village to us as a fantastic place to live in and that’s how we decided to buy a house in this town that we adore. Now that we are retired, we live for about half the year in Villapereli in Vasanello. What we especially like about Italy is the people: kind, honest, welcoming people.
Eli Skram Dyblie, Cornelius
Eli Skram Dyblie, Figures in Motion
Eli Skram Dyblie, Hope
Q: How do you spend your time?
A: When I’m in Oslo, I rent space at the Gamle Oslo Kreative Verksteder (gKv) laboratory in Vaalerenga. I love swimming, visiting places, being with friends.
Q: What advice would you give to a young person who wanted to pursue an artistic career in the field of pictorial arts and ceramics?
A: I would tell him that the important thing is to really want it and to focus his energies on it.
Eli SKRAM DYBLIE, Infinity (Tom Myrslo’s private collection)
I thank Eli Skram Dyblie for her availability and I wish her a good stay in Italy.
Vasanello, 10 May 2024 by Ida Renzicchi
Oslo, Eli SKRAM DYBLIE ‘s exhibition