Welcome to the Matriarchy
I make art about being me, a middleaged woman, for myself and others who are also deeply worried about the state of the world, and angry about the patriarchy.
I use as as many kinds of materials as I can making art, and repurpose as much as possible, but primarily I paint, with acrylic paint and charcoal as my favourite tools.
I paint in all sizes, from small pieces to outdoor public murals.
I paint figuratively, and even write words sometimes, because I want you to understand me.
I try to leave enough room for you too, so that you can add your feelings, and experiences when you see something I made for us.
Because I make art for us. Even if I don't know exactly who you are and what your story is.
I love all things beautiful, but I think most people have a very narrow definition of what that is, and neither do they seem to understand that what we consider as beautiful, in so many instances is taught.
I believe making art is one of the easiest ways to change the world, and therefore, one of the most powerful and dangerous things there is.
Our imagination, our creativity, combined with love, joy, solidarity and care, are some of our most important contributions to this life.
If I could change one thing about society, I would make art-making a mandatory class for all students on all levels, through their entire education, including all post-graduate work, as well as have some sort of art-making be a part of every workplace in public sector (at least) and on all levels of government.
It wouldn't fix everything that needs fixing, but it would help. Don't just brush it off as a silly idea, think about it for a while.
Go make something. Change the world. Pull something into being that wasn't there before you created it. It doesn't need to be "good" or "beautiful". But I need you to recognize the power of your presence in this life.
I can't change the whole world on my own, but together we might. And that's something. 
Artist Biography
EN:
Hanne Ugelstad (b. 1979 in Larvik, Norway) is a social pedagogue, educator, writer, artist and photographer, specialized in working with marginalized youth groups and urban subcultures. She works with art, education, activism, politics, environmental psychology, project development, curation, and management, and she is the pedagogical leader of Street Art Oslo.
Hanne is part of the art-based activism collective Subvertising Norway dedicated to questioning who has the power to communicate messages and meaning in public space. Her personal street art project is called Matriarkatet, with the aim to challenge the capitalist/patriarchical cultural hegemony shaping the visual realm of our cities.
Her art can be found on the streets of cities like Paris, Amsterdam, Tartu (Estonia), Nürnberg, London, and in her home town Oslo, as well as on the walls of private collectors homes across Europe. She is known for her deeply personal work, making vibrant, symbolically charged colourful paintings, often of women, nature and animals.
Hanne is particularly interested in topics concerning civic engagement, disobedience and empowerment, and the ways (un)sanctioned art and creative expressions in our shared public spaces can create opportunities for people to experience and interact with the city in new and different ways. She has over 20 years experience in social work, and has regularly given academic lectures in social pedagogy and best youth therapy practices at university/college level. Hanne is also a trained guidance councellor for bachelor level students, and the co-author of peer-reviewed research papers and manuals.
She teaches regularly in artivism, and how to apply street art techniques to create powerful messages in public space. Every year, Hanne personally meets and interacts with around 2000 people of all ages through their participation in her workshops and street art tours.
Hanne has worked with several national and international NGOs as well as many activist networks to help get their messages heard and seen, among them SAIH, XR Ung, Unmute Gaza, Palestinakomiteen i Oslo, Jødiske stemmer for rettferdig fred, and Regnskogsfondet. Through her work she creates spaces for young and non-established artists, connecting many diverse communities and groups together.
She is co-founder of Kunst I Mellomrom forlag, publishing independent zines about non-institutionalized art practices. She has co-produced and co-curated public art productions made by hundreds of national and international artists, managing several festivals and individual art-projects, making her one of Norway's most experienced producers and curators of street art in recent years.
NO:
Hanne Ugelstad arbeider som kunstner, produsent, kurator og pedagog. Hun har bakgrunn innen sosialpedagogikk, med bred erfaring fra arbeid med marginaliserte samfunnsgrupper og subkulturer. Hanne har lang erfaring som barnevernpedagog og miljøterapeut, med etterutdanning innen blant annet veiledning, traumesensitiv omsorg og miljøterapeutisk behandling. Hun er en erfaren fagformidler, foredragsholder, underviser, veileder og forfatter. Hanne arbeider med kunst, prosjektledelse, kunnskaps- og kompetanseutvikling, formidling og kommunikasjon som pedagogisk leder for Street Art Oslo.
Hanne er spesielt interessert i å legge til rette for økt samfunnsdeltakelse, og på hvilke måter (ikke-)sanksjonert kunst og kreative uttrykk i våre delte offentlige rom kan skape muligheter for å samhandle med byen - og hverandre - på nye måter. Hun skaper gjennom sitt arbeid arenaer for unge og ikke-etablerte kunstnere, med møtepunkter for mange ulike miljøer og samfunnsgrupper. Hanne har en subversiv kunstpraksis der samfunnets maktstrukturer og sosiale orden blir stilt spørsmål ved, blant annet gjennom å være del av kunstner/aktivist kollektivet Subvertising Norway; som med-grunnlegger av Kunst i Mellomrom forlag som utgir uavhengige publikasjoner om ulike former for ikke-institusjonell kunstpraksis; og gjennom gatekunstprosjektet Matriarkatet.