art vitrines and city in light

Stig Lindholm, textile artist


Jan Persson, painting inspired by an August Strindberg story


Elisabeth Carlsson, textile artist

More art vitrines, the remaining will come later this week.

The opening, in Göteborg inner city shopping area, was a nice and friendly event. A curious crowd walked around as darkness fell over the city and all artists said a few words about their work. Many of us had thought about the human fragility this season; in different ways compassionate.



After this, we all went to hear the mayor of Göteborg hold a really embarrassing opening speech for the whole Christmas event, and for a moment I felt ashamed of being a part of this. But, I finally decided to only feel responsibility for my own intentions and my own work, with the hope that something good will come out of it.

Göran Johansson, the mayor, totally didn't mention for example how meaningful light is in dark times, or the importance of sharing a celebration, or the awareness of not adding to climate disaster by wasting energy. Or even Christmas! Instead he greedily went straight on to say how good this event is for making tourists pay for hotel rooms and for business. Shame.





In spite of this, it turned out a fun evening! And I love my illuminated city, more photos will follow before lights are switched off.

Sandra shows the starry sky this weekend, snowman celebration in the woods.
Kira Kotliar makes angels.

art breaks opening and christmas craft

I'm star no 1 :) on the invitation card, Korsgatan 3. Fellow "Art break" vitrine artists are: Jan Persson, Stig Lindholm, Jan Persson, Michel Droetto, Elisabeth Carlsson, Britt Ignell, Adrienne Riseley, Emma Ströde and Per Peterson. Couldn't find links from all, will show photos.

Our "Art breaks" opening this afternoon is followed by the official opening of the whole Christmas City event (info in Swedish and English). It will take off with a sound and light show on the facade of the Art museum. The whole inner city will be beautifully illuminated until New Year, quite spectacular (lot's of LED lights I was told, or it wouldn't be OK with the sustainable profile Göteborg also aims for). I promise to bring camera along at all times.



Group show at KC Väst, this year's new members, opens Saturday with a few of my pieces in it. My little image is no 3 from the left in top row.

To be a group show it looks surprisingly collected, nice job by fellow exhibitors hanging the show! KC Väst, who runs the gallery, is a member's organisation promoting visual artists in West Sweden, links to many of them here.


Chokladfabriken ceramics, their photo

More craft in Göteborg this weekend: HDK, School of design and craft, student's Christmas market from Friday afternoon to Sunday. See what is for sale, like Sandra's softies.

At Chokladfabriken, Paternostergatan, a former chocolate factory turned into ceramic studios, Ann-Louise Gustavsson, Ingela Jonasson and Eva Zethraeus have Christmas-open studios Saturday and Sunday, 12- 17 both days.

Here, again, addresses to lots of other Christmas craft events in Sweden.

Now I'm off for afternoon opening mingle, wish you a weekend full of joy and light!

preview windows

"Art break" window ready to be looked into, garlands for joy and sorrow.





Not all artists are finished yet, the opening is tomorrow. Per Petersson's and Britt Ignell's can be previewed, more photos will come.

Try the Salvation Army Christmas Gift-machine, in Swedish, by Sandsjö Action

vitrine art preparations

Per Petersson is also working on a shop window for the Göteborg City Christmas event. This is what it looked like in his studio. It's up now, but it was too dark to take pictures, will take with the other artists. Friday afternoon is the official opening.

I'm almost done with my window, just waiting for the light man to do his job tomorrow morning, before I can finish.

My ceramic friend Paul Scott started a blog, I'm so glad. He will have a lot to tell about what goes on in the ceramic world and art news from northern England. And maybe also about ceramic print methods. And hopefully about his own work. First post has great photos from Göteborg! and from Guldagergaard. His website here.

We first met, ten years ago, in Hungary, at the ceramic center in Kecskemet, both invited for a month long symposium. Concentrated work, long late dinners in the center's garden, inspiration from lovely colleagues; it was a great summer. Best flea market ever, Saturdays.

what a sunny day

Incredible light today, crystal clear day. I've lost my bicycle key and move around more slowly these days.



Once again, Per helped weld garland rings. That reminded me it was over 70 posts since last time, when I started this blog.

Busy week; the vitrine exhibition opens Friday (ten artists invited to create an "art break" each in the city's shopping area). I've already met with a light designer and also tried to figure out how to hang things where they cannot really hang. Will get help with that too, feel confident.

Britt Ignell already filled her window, and Camilla saw it today, looks fine.

On Saturday the KC Väst's new member's f-show opens. Even if it's a group show, there are some things that needs attention. I try to do one thing at the time and take deep breaths now and then.

LEDs Are Pretty exhibition, more light in December darkness, via Craft

paper chandeliers

Final Christmas market post (still open, until Wednesday in the Konstepidemin Blue House).

Kerstin Åsling makes the most beautiful paper chandeliers. In Swedish they are called "oro", the word for not being at peace. I think it's from them moving slightly in the tiniest breeze, being easily worried by it, but I don't know.

Instructions for making a paper star. Or if you like this better.
Miniature stars. Many more origami instructions.



Bread and other tasty things from the Blue House restaurant.



Gudrun Åsling's moss garland.



Per Agelii wooden birds.

Something completely different, far from Christmas idyll:
Platina jewellery gallery in Stockholm show work by Jenny Edlund "Libido", amazing photos by Morgan Norman. Opens Dec 6. Jenny Edlund beautiful "hollowware".

Tired of the hand made? Paris Parfait posts extravaganza and glamour; Christmas decorated Paris shop windows, oh la la...

soft christmas gifts

I usually don't post weekends but wanted to show a few photos from the Christmas market at Konstepidemin, it was a nice day and people came. Even if the rain outside didn't add to the Christmas mood it was cosy inside.





Anna Unsgaard, jewelry artist, bowl.



Elisabeth Eriksson, textile artist, ties on sale.



Karin Landahl, textile artist and designer.

The Christmas market will be open until Wednesday.
Hope you're having a great weekend.