"In the beginner’s mind there are infinite possibilities.
In the expert’s there are few."
Suzuki
Unfinished Processes – Beginner's Mind
with Sara Skorgan Teigen & Nina Worren
1. May – 4. May in Copenhagen
About the workshop
The workshop is led by the Norwegian artists Sara Skorgan Teigen and Nina Worren.
“Unfinished Processes” is about the artistic process rather than the finished result. The value found in notes and sketches is what we aim to highlight during this workshop, and perhaps it is precisely in the unfinished that the valuable lies? The sketchbook as medium will become an important tool for inspiration and development of the various projects, focusing on seeing and opening up to the possibilities which lie within any material, form, and medium. We will provide time and space for reflection and sensory exploration, without demands or goals that trigger performance. We live in a hyper-commercial art world where the measurable takes priority; with this workshop, we wish to emphasize the counterbalance – play, presence, immersion, and flow. Participants will each receive a workbook/sketchbook, which we will focus on as a tool and support for our various processes.
Each medium carries within it a unique opportunity to understand something new, and possesses new or hidden aspects of our own projects. Intentionally to become a 'beginner' (beginner's mind - zen mind) is a fruitful position that frees us from our relentless inner critic, which always stands in our way . This can allow us to rediscover our projects and dare to let go of control. We want to collectively focus on the artistic and creative process surrounding your projects by giving ourselves more room to maneuver, through exercises, the workbook, and by sharing experiences about our processes. We will all become beginners, so the workshop is therefore just as suitable for emerging artists as it is for established ones.
Through both individual and collective exercises and having the sketchbook as a tool and medium, the workshop aims to create a playful and safe space where artists can discover new directions within their own projects, as well as extend their artistic daily practices and use of medium.
The sketchbook as medium and praxis can open up new possibilities for the artist to experience and expand their own projects, experimenting with creative exercises in different mediums and approaches, and for developing and understanding their own main medium in new ways.
The workshops will be held in English.
Images from workshop in Åland 2023,
arranged by Mirari Residency. © NW
About the mentors
Sara Skorgan Teigen works interdisciplinaryly, but with a base in photography and the artist's book. The sketchbook is central to her practice, where she explores different aspects of being human. She has published two books: In Fractal State of Being (2014) and Sleeping State of Being (2022). Both books have been published by Journal and exhibited on three continents. Recently, she has focused on making installations with the artist's book as a base, often with elements of textile and performance. She holds a Master in Arts and Crafts at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts.
www.saraskorganteigen.com / https://www.instagram.com/saraskorganteigen/
Nina Worren is a curator, mentor and gallerist, based in Copenhagen. She works in photography, text, artist's books, video and mixed media. Her work is linked to themes such as identity, heritage, mental health, intimate relationships and how we relate to nature. Autobiographical exploration is central to her work, which combines personal documentary, staged tableaux and archival images. She holds a Master in Fine Arts in Photography from the Academy of Art and Design, Gothenburg.
www.ninaworren.com / www.nw-gallery.dk / www.theprojectroom.dk
Sara and Nina have collaborated and supported each other for many years, and had their first duo exhibition in Copenhagen in 2011. They are both educated at Fatamorgana in Copenhagen and the International Center of Photography in New York. Both artists work with personal projects, and share the wonder about existence as a human being and as a fellow human being, and they both have a special passion for the book as a medium.
Workshop outline
The workshop is designed to inspire participants' artistic processes through play and alternative work processes, routines, and practical methods, such as drawing, collage, creative writing, etc.
Participants will bring all the materials they have for their specific projects in order to work physically on site.
The goal at the end of the workshop is to have gained new tools to use around creative processes and in your artistic practice.
1.5 - 4.5.25
in Nansensgade 10
DK-1366 Copenhagen
- For those in town, we will meet unformally in Nansensgade in the evening of 30 April.
The four-day workshop is designed to inspire participants' artistic processes through play and alternative work processes, routines, and practical methods, such as drawing, collage, creative writing, etc. Participants will bring all the materials they need for the specific projects to be able to work physically on site (there will also be a scanner and printer available to produce new materials during the course). The days will be organised with joint meetings and individual work; there will also be scheduled individual supervision meetings.
The goal at the end of the course is that together we have worked both playfully and seriously with our material and that we have gone deep into an artistic process. We want to create a non-hierarchical meeting between the participating artists, where everyone can feel that they benefit from each other and that we create something together.
Preliminary workshop schedule:
09.00 - Coffee
09.30 - 10.30 Morning meeting
10.30 - 13.00 Work
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 18.00 Work
The charming street of Nansensgade is full of nice cafés and restaurants, and close by there is a beautiful park. If the weather is nice, we will also stay some time outside.
The programme is subject to change, depending on the needs and development of the participants and their projects.
What To Bring With You
Notebook / Sketchbook. (You get one sketchbook in the workshop, but bring your own if you prefer any special.). It will be used as a workbook for the project.
Big scissors. Small scissors (embroidery scissors recommended)
Printed archive
Camera. One needs to be digital.
Your own computer (and hard drive) with project files easily available.
Pencil, eraser, pen to write with.
Ideas you would like to work on
When you are registered, you will get a welcome letter with more information.
Practical
4 days workshop:
Price DKK 7800 / EUR 1040
incl. VAT
- A non-refundable deposit of 50% is to be paid when registration to the workshop is confoirmed and the remaining fee is to be paid at the latest April 1
(contact us to make another rate agreement)
The price also includes
- A common welcome breakfast the first day
- A Moleskine Sketchbook
- Copy Paper & LaserJet color printing at the workshop space included
There may be some extra costs related to printing, paper, and other material depending on your choice of creative process during the workshop.
Participants will be expected to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Please contact us if you want info and some local information.
How to Register:
- Deadline: 25th of April -
First to mill principle – only six seats available.
Send us the following information:
* Your name and contact information
* Bio
* A short text describing your work and motivation for the workshop
* fill in the form below and attach a file of images
* When you are registered, we will send you payment info and a a welcome letter with more details
REGISTER NOW:
Terms & conditions
If a participant decides to cancel for whatever reason, this must be confirmed in a written notification.
NW Gallery reserves the right to cancel the workshop due to insufficient participants or reasons beyond our control. In such a case, a full and immediate refund of the workshop fee will be issued.
NW Gallery is not responsible for reimbursements of travel, accommodation or other expenses in case the workshop is cancelled.
NW Gallery reserves the right to cancel a reservation if full payment has not been received latest the first day of the workshop - or according to other agreement
Contact:
mail@nw-gallery.dk for any questions
Nansensgade 10
1366 Copenhagen K
mail@nw-gallery.dk
WED 12 - 17 or
by appointment
© Copyright. All Rights Reserved 2025
