Nanna Starck's 'The Jewel Box' Transforms Kunsthal Thy into a Casket of Myth and Body

Nanna Starck's exhibition, 'The Jewel Box,' is currently at Kunsthal Thy in Hurup, Denmark. It showcases jewelry-inspired reliefs that explore the female form, vulnerability, and local folklore. The artwork hangs from the ceiling and is also displayed on walls, encased in transparent plastic that resembles broken bracelet links. Starck, born in Frederiksberg in 1976, studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts from 1998 to 2004 and has exhibited at places like SMK and Brandts, as well as abroad. This show, commissioned by Kunsthal Thy, received support from the Danish Arts Foundation and the Fake Foundation. Her work highlights material imperfections to reveal deeper meanings about the body and challenges societal expectations, referencing local legends like the Ellewoman of Lindholm, a witch figure tied to the oppression of independent women. The reliefs’ varying lengths symbolize a link between modern women and their ancestors.