The Swedish Show
Contemporary Swedish Ceramics
Meyerhoff Gallery MICA, Baltimore, USA
3 february – 20 march 2005
Helena Andersson - Anna Bärnskog - Ulrika Henström - Karolina Eriksson - Jennifer Forsberg - Renata Francescon - Eva Hild - Josefine Holmqvist - Backa Carin Ivarsdotter - Ingela Jonasson - Hanna Järlehed - Charlotta Klingström - Gustav Nordenskiöld - Thomas Nordström - Pernilla Norrman - Annika Svensson – Tina Reuterberg - Adrienne Riseley – Kjell Rylander – Anna Ulin – Eva Zethraeus
“The Swedish Show” is a project that started almost two years ago. Encouraged by a number of people in Sweden and abroad, we began the application process. The resulting exhibition, webpage and catalogue reflect the current ceramic climate in Sweden.
The aim of the project is to highlight the unique vitality, variety and breadth of the work coming from the new generation of ceramic artists.
Each of the contributing artists work in the widening field of craft in such that they all have an idea-based approach to both material and content. Ideas for work can take their departure from contemporary art, modern design theory as much as from knowledge of craft techniques and
traditions.
The artists possess an awareness of what it means to live and work today in a Scandinavian country such as Sweden with its specific traditions, natural environment and culture.
Artists statements, curriculums and links can be found on our website
www.theswedishshow.com
Jennifer Forsberg
Initiator
Presstext:
The Swedish Show is a presentation of Swedish Contemporary Ceramics to be held in
Baltimore USA, February 3 - March 20, 2005. No less than 21 young contemporary artists participate in this, the most extensive exhibition in the field ever to have been exported abroad. The Swedish exhibition proposal received a unanimous vote from the jury who selected from 300 proposals from around the world.
The aim of the project is to highlight the unique vitality, variety and breadth of the work coming from the new generation of ceramic artists.
Each of the contributing artists work in the widening field of craft in such that they all have an idea-based approach to both material and content. Ideas for work can take their departure from contemporary art-thought and modern design theory as much as from knowledge of craft techniques and traditions.
Many of the artists work across genre boundaries in projects which may for example involve architects and designers while others work as studio-ceramicists. The exciting atmosphere evident in Swedish ceramics today can be explained in a number of ways. Certainly the increase in opportunities for exchanges and meetings between artists has contributed along with a broadening of ideas and rearrangement of structures within the schools of art in the county.
Today ceramic artists possess an international consciousness as never before which strengthens and defines their own identities. Comparison increases awareness of what it means to live and work today in a Scandinavian country such as Sweden with its specific traditions, natural environment and culture.
The project is made possible through individual funding as well as grants from a number of funding bodies. In connection with the exhibition a seminar is to be held on contemporary Swedish ceramics. The yearly NCECA conference ( National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts ), which takes place during a part of the exhibition period, is expected to attract up to 10,000 visitors.
This project is made possible through Estrid Ericsons Foundation, IASPIS and Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation