IN TINA''S WORLD COLORS MAKE A DASH FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE
BY ROBERT FLEMMING (Khaleej Times)

23 January 2006

Flying pigs were made famous by Pink Floyd with the image floating over Battersea Power Station. Hollywood gave elephants wings as Dumbo soared into a cartoon sky. And as for flying horses — mythology has that covered with Pegasus.

But to plagiarize the words of the song: you ain''t seen nuttin until you see one of Tina''s horses fly.

''I paint by intuition,'' says Tina. ''I don''t plan what I paint but suddenly I feel like putting an elephant on or a flying horse. I had one painting that had written on it: ''ground control to flying horse; you''re cleared for landing''. But there''s a deeper meaning to it if you want there to be. It''s about making impossible things possible and sometimes you have to ground yourself and choose new directions. I want everything to be open for interpretation; I don''t want it to be fixed. You have to find your own interpretation.''

Tina Tobiassen''s paintings have been called whimsical, humorous and timeless but rarely philosophical. And yet there is a form of philosophy embedded in her work.

''I like to have a philosophical entrance to the paintings but I don''t think about it consciously because I just paint whatever comes to mind. I like to use bold movements, colors and tools so I can''t control too much. Some of the paintings may look detailed but in reality they''re not. You have to let go of the control.''

Her background in graphic design might be thought to be in opposition to that latter thought but actually serves to enhance the abstract quality of her work. Strong colors are overlaid by what would appear to be simple designs but without reference points, they lie open to the interpretation of the viewer. Tina''s subjects are those that can be interpreted in symbolic or story formats — arches, bridges and hilltops. These are universal subjects that appeal to everyone whatever their references. Nothing is fixed but everything is positive.

''It''s no illusion, it''s something to fight for, a gift to share; naïve optimism is the only thing we have.''

A ''lyric'' her husband wrote for one of the newer paintings, which perhaps sums up the underpinning thoughts for the imminent exhibition at the Majlis Gallery in Bur Dubai. According to Tina, her husband Carlsen is responsible for all of the occasional lyrics inscribed on paintings and also the titles.

''Question is the sister of hope and mother of numerous options,'' reads another but the way philosophical is a result rather than an aim. He the scribe but she the creator.

And like philosophy, Tina''s works evolve; always needing that extra tiny addition, another touch.

''I put it up on the wall and leave it for a while to see whether I''m finished. It''s left there while I make coffee, breakfast and might be there for a week or more. And then I come back and add more. Even with paintings that I''ve exhibited, I sometimes think that I want to change them, to add a little more.''

On the advice of a painter from Dubai, Tina uses a base of sand from Hatta mixed with black acrylic to give many of her paintings a granular effect. Perhaps symbiotic with her rationale of painting. Whatever the truth, it is for you to interpret your meaning of her dreams as they relate to you.