› › › › The Rihanna Works

These works (and partly also works under the frame of The Muse) revolve around the American pop star Rihanna. I find her interesting because she practices a very different, almost anachronistic type of feminism. Initially, I was interested in flirting with “the contemporary image” - the superficial pleasingly correct image. I started out disapproving of both Rihanna and modern painting, but as the ironic flirt turned into real emotions, I had to admit that I was truly interested in both subjects. I was won over by “the contemporary image” - my rationale was converted into unsophisticated, unproblematic passion. Should I not have given in? For years I have exploited the tools of painting, in order to deal with dense cognitive content. Where (and why) is painting today? In order to respectively pay my dues to the medium, I involved myself in “the contemporary”. It was sweet to give in; to be exploited and to be charmed by color and form.


In short, the patterns and compositions of these paintings are conversions of Rihanna's wardrobe - a portrait of a commercialized, contemporary person - based on paparazzi pictures. The content then lies in that deceptive logic of sweetish consumption - the charming (or manipulating, if you like). Only after this consumption, can you conclude what type of sensitivity is appropriate for you in that moment; delight (you have carelessly enjoyed the flirt) or disgust (you feel plundered by the flirt). And no matter what line you stand in, the painting is still a charming painting. Do I accept the cult of the contemporary? I do not know. I am still bewitched. But in this final analysis I think my answer is: Yes I do. And I enjoy it.


More apparent in my works about Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj, but still hidden somewhere in this body of work is the white gaze. Decolonisation was an ongoing motivation in my studio for about 10 years. Eventually however, my motivation manifested as a fear of stepping over boundaries of the driving force of the women that I portrayed and admired. And in the end, if people of colour are offended, then my initial admirable intention doesn’t matter. 


In her work, Rihanna talks about the issues of her Black body being consumed by a White male gaze. My gaze. I found it necessary to take this gaze and whiteness seriously. I needed to unpack my own privilege and understand what Rihanna was projecting at this Whiteness. She had a target. I was trying to embody that target. To consume her points. I was not appropriating. I was consuming - and consuming for me always goes through my art practice. Read more here.




Ditte Ejlerskov, CHART, Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Cph, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

CHART, Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Cph, DK with ELASTIC Gallery (SE).

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Graphic Jacket Painting

180 x 200 cm, mixed media on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Givenchy Diptych 1 of 2

160 x 160, mixed media on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Striped Painting

180 x 180 cm, mixed media on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Boy and Stripe Painting

24 x 32 cm, oil on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Marc Jacobs Painting

170 x 190 cm, vinyl paint on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Pattern in Shadow Painting

27 x 35 cm, oil on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Annie Leibovitz photoshoot, 2012

Oil on canvas, 22 x 36 cm

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Vita Coco Pineapple Painting

50 x 50 cm, oil on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Tribal Bikini Painting

200 x 200, mixed media on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Pineapple Painting

170 x 170 cm, oil on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Purple and Red Detail Painting

41 x 33 cm, oil on canvas, 2012

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Ass Grab Painting

27 x 21,5 cm, oil on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

Paddle Painting 2, 2016

Oil on canvas, 22 x 36 cm

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Zebra Zoom Painting

120 x 100 cm, oil on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Zebra Pout Painting

19 x 23,5 cm, oil on canvas, 2012

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

Bending in Colour, 2017

Oil on canvas, 50 x 60 cm

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, woven painting, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

Purple Riri Weave, 2016

Oil on 2 canvases woven together, 42 cm x 32 cm

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Vintage Versace Painting

31 x 23,5 cm, oil on canvas, 2012

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

Riri Bending by the Pool for You, 2017

Oil on canvas, 40 x 40 cm

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Grey Wang Painting

140 x 120 cm, mixed media on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The McQueen Side Glance Painting

30 x 40 cm, oil on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Perfect Red, Grey, Khaki Painting

21,5 x 27 cm, oil on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Perfect Painting

50 x 60 cm, vinyl paint and wax on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The White Painting

50 x 55 cm, oil on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Givenchy Diptych 2 of 2

140 x 160, mixed media on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The McCartney Sequin Painting

27 x 33 cm, oil on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Sexy Bikini Dance Painting

24 x 43 cm, oil on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Sexy Painting

180 x 200 cm, mixed media on canvas, 2013

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

I am 1, 2017

Copperplate etching, 22, 8 x 17,8 cm (edition of 1)

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

Facing the Muse, 2017

Oil on canvas, 33 x 24 cm

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Veil of The Muse, 2017

A 40 x 40 cm 100% polyester scarf depicting a painting (light weight plain weave)

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Lunds Konsthall, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Rihanna Rapports, 2013

Mixed media, 28 boxes in red mdf, on shelf, each containing multiple paper files

Installation view at Lunds Konsthall, 2016

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Lunds Konsthall, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

The Rihanna Rapports, 2013

Mixed media, 28 boxes in red mdf, on shelf, each containing multiple paper files

Installation view at Lunds Konsthall, 2016

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Lunds Konsthall, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

Detail; The Rihanna Rapports, 2013

Mixed media, 28 boxes in red mdf, on shelf, each containing multiple paper files

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Lunds Konsthall, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

Detail; The Rihanna Rapports, 2013

Mixed media, 28 boxes in red mdf, on shelf, each containing multiple paper files

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

Detail; The Rihanna Rapports, 2013

Mixed media, 28 boxes in red mdf, on shelf, each containing multiple paper files

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

Detail; The Rihanna Rapports, 2013

Mixed media, 28 boxes in red mdf, on shelf, each containing multiple paper files

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

Detail; The Rihanna Rapports, 2013

Mixed media, 28 boxes in red mdf, on shelf, each containing multiple paper files

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

Detail; The Rihanna Rapports, 2013

Mixed media, 28 boxes in red mdf, on shelf, each containing multiple paper files

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

Detail; The Rihanna Rapports, 2013

Mixed media, 28 boxes in red mdf, on shelf, each containing multiple paper files

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

Detail; The Rihanna Rapports, 2013

Mixed media, 28 boxes in red mdf, on shelf, each containing multiple paper files

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

Detail; The Rihanna Rapports, 2013

Mixed media, 28 boxes in red mdf, on shelf, each containing multiple paper files

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

Detail; The Rihanna Rapports, 2013

Mixed media, 28 boxes in red mdf, on shelf, each containing multiple paper files

 

 

Ditte Ejlerskov, ELASTIC Gallery, Malmö, Rihanna, Rihanna-painting, Rihanna-fan-art, dansk kunst, Danish art, contemporary portrait painting, portrætmaleri, samtida porträttmåleri, dansk maleri, Danish painting, figurative painting, figurativt maleri, skandinaviskt måleri, skandinavisk maleri, Scandinavian painting

 

Detail; The Rihanna Rapports, 2013

Mixed media, 28 boxes in red mdf, on shelf, each containing multiple paper files

Installation view at ELASTIC Gallery, Malmö, SE, 2013