Christine Sundly says her artwork looks different based on where she is living.
“In Alaska, we have large, beautiful creatures that live around us. It started with Alaska animals,” Sundly said. “When I do more of the conceptual art, it’s more leaning into what’s going on emotionally for me.”
A painter, printmaker, jewelry maker and conceptual artist, Sundly has two art degrees — one in graphic design and another in conceptual sculpture. She says that working in abstract has always been comfortable to her.
“Conceptual art is about presenting a problem to the audience, or presenting a feeling or presenting an emotion,” she said. “A lot of times I have to feel that emotion, and want to push that a little bit.”
Originally from Wisconsin, Sundly is a member of the Menominee Nation, and moved to Alaska in 2014. She has been a studio artist at The Nave in Spenard since 2018.
“It’s not that I have a secret special combination in my brain — I think everyone has the ability to be creative, so that if people are thinking about experimenting with different materials… they should know there is no such thing as bad art, in my opinion,” Sundly said. “It might not be something you’re proud to show other people, but you went through the process of making something, and that is so good for our sense of self.”
Sundly enjoys exploring different mediums. Last spring, she created a performance piece with “an exorbitant amount of glue,” painting inside dried adhesive and creating different structures, hanging them from the ceiling and having performance dancers move around it. Other shows have allowed for audience interaction.
Earlier this year, Sundly along with artist Emily Longbrake, collaborated with Momentum Dance Collective on “Reciprocity” — an immersive, interactive exhibit that featured stationary and moveable pieces.
“Working in that medium is much different than hanging something on a wall, because you’re demanding more time from the audience,” Sundly said. “When I think about that, I try and think about if I’m that audience, what is going to bring me the most joy? I try to make my art present itself very naturally in a positive mindset. I generally feel like I get stressed with responsibilities in life, but the essence of who I like to be and who I want to represent is a sense of joy.”
Sundly’s artwork is available for purchase through her website, and at Tiny Art Gallery in downtown Anchorage.
Sam Davenport is a writer residing in Anchorage. She's a leo and a plant-person, and loves spending quality time with her dog, Aspen. She is a Real Housewives fan and has been called a Bravo historian.
