nordstrom 171 100 Jockum Nordstrom

The composition presents a divided landscape, split horizontally into two distinct zones. The upper portion is dominated by a vibrant red field that serves as a backdrop for several stylized figures and natural elements. Here we see a large owl, rendered in black and white with prominent yellow eyes, perched on a grassy mound. Two birds, resembling crows or ravens, are depicted in flight against the red expanse; one ascends diagonally, while the other descends. A small, box-like structure sits on the horizon line, its muted color suggesting distance and perhaps isolation. The starkness of the red field is punctuated by the verticality of two birch trees, their white trunks contrasting sharply with the background.
The lower portion of the work introduces a different palette and atmosphere. Here, the ground is rendered in pale beige tones, overlaid with a network of thin lines that suggest texture or perhaps an abstracted representation of terrain. Several figures are present, depicted in simplified forms and dark clothing. They appear to be walking or moving across this landscape, their postures conveying a sense of quiet determination or perhaps melancholy. A small cluster of rocks is positioned near the base of a tall, slender tree on the left side. A rudimentary fence runs diagonally across the lower portion, adding another layer of visual complexity and potentially symbolizing boundaries or limitations.
The juxtaposition of these two zones creates a compelling tension within the work. The upper section’s bold colors and simplified forms convey a sense of dreamlike unreality, while the lower sections muted tones and more detailed figures suggest a grounded, perhaps even somber reality. The division itself implies a separation – between realms, states of mind, or perspectives.
Subtly, the presence of birds throughout both sections could be interpreted as symbols of freedom, transition, or perhaps foreboding. The owl, often associated with wisdom and observation, seems to survey the scene from its elevated position. The figures in the lower portion, their faces largely obscured, evoke a sense of anonymity and shared experience – a collective journey through an ambiguous landscape. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, inviting viewers to consider themes of isolation, connection, and the passage of time within a fragmented world.