How dare I want more from this life?
Artist Statement
Life In The Shadowlands tells the story of how Sunniva Innstrand got sick with the neuroimmune disease ME/CFS at the age of 25. It’s a 15-minute video essay about life with a disabling chronic illness from the perspective of a young Norwegian artist living in Berlin.
At the time of producing this piece, Sunniva’s health has declined to a stage where she spends most of her time in bed.
Life In The Shadowlands was written, mixed and produced on Sunniva’s laptop from bed. Her story is about finding sanctuary in art and seeking purpose in life.
Biography
Sunniva Innstrand (she/her) is a Norwegian artist with an MA of Fine Arts from 2019 at the Weißensee Academy of Art Berlin, Germany. Berlin has been her home for the past decade.
Sunniva has previously worked conceptually with text, photography, video, performance, sculpture, illustration, collage, edible items, sound and installation. Her works often center on love, poetry, nature and sexuality.
In addition to a handful of other conditions, Sunniva has been living with post-viral ME/CFS since 2018. As someone living with several chronic conditions and disabilities, the artistic process has become her sanctuary. From the sickbed, she continues to create, to process, to endure and to heal.
Connect
Website: sunnivainnstrand.com
Instagram: @sunnivainnstrand
Youtube: @sunnivainnstrand
list of works
Sunniva Innstrand
Life In The Shadowlands
2023
Audiovisual video essay
15 minutes
Artwork