The exhibition of contemporary Swedish silver opens like an archeological treasure when you enter the exhibition hall at the Vida Museum. At least we get it explained like that, so we have to use our imagination and the amazing objects we see as the exhibition is under construction at the time of writing.
Constantly contemporary art
It is the Association “Nutida Svenskt Silver” (Contemporary Swedish Silver) exhibiting their art both in the form of jewelry but also jugs, plates and sculptures and everything in between. As the name indicates, the association shall be contemporary and since it’s been around since 1963 it’s required by the members that they hold the contemporary living by working in the present and be innovative. The members are selected by a jury and they are working in all kinds of material, expressing their art in many different and personal ways.
Barbro Kamras from Vida tell us that many of the participants in the exhibition have participated before and also contributed to the museum with jewelry exhibited and sold at the museum.
Silver comb inspired by the Viking history of Öland by silversmith Karlheinz Sauer
The Association “Nutida Svenskt Silver” (Contemporary Swedish Silver) is waiting to get a new showroom in Stockholm, and during the time, they have shown up with exhibitions in different places in Sweden, like now here at Vida Museum on Öland.
Silver platter by Wolfgang Gessel.
Connecting to Öland
We meet some artists with relations to Öland or have done work related to the island.
Maria Börjesson’s parents are summer Ölanders. She has made bracelets in aluminum with silhouettes of Öland.
Annika Daevel participates with, among other things, a sculpture of the girl found during the excavation of Skedemosse in 1959, and candlesticks inspired by rings found at the same excavation.
Jewelry by Maria Börjesson.
The only member living on Öland is Karlheinz Sauer, who has workshops in both Ottenby and Mörbylånga. Karlheinz has two combs in silver inspired by the Viking history of Öland.
The joint exhibition is open from May 1st to June 21st.
Finally, there are so many more works worth mentioning, such as the beautiful stone necklaces with precious and ordinary stones and also the amazing neck ring made of common metal, so just come here and pick your own favorites!
Josefine Davidsson
Karlheinz Sauer
Annika Daevel
Text: Lotta Haglund Photo: Birger Lallo