springtime hammarkullen

A revisit to Hammarkullen, sunny Saturday. The cherry trees are planted, footboll field is crowded, spring is in the air. It seems like there will be a community mosaic project this year too, everybody is so glad to see how much a little color can change a whole neighborhood.

First gig on new job; exhibition opening in the underground tram station.
Far & son, until June 11.

Jennifer Forsberg show at Galleri Mårtensson & Persson, Stockholm, until April 5.

three little pieces

Now they hang at the nurse's work stations in a newly restored surgical ward in Växjö. Hope you never get sick and see them for real.

It was fun to make them, another chance to try out mixing form and mosaic pieces.

Newly reminded of ceramic idol from year's ago: Jun Kaneko
He gave a talk at a ceramic conference in Oslo, and touched so many of us.

helga henschen - for peace

The art work in Tensta underground station in Stockholm is made by artist, poet, author Helga Henschen, 1975. She was an important political artist in the seventies and an inspiration for many.

Brochure, in Swedish but with lots of photos, about the art in all the stations download here

in second place

Sketches for a commission in Lindesberg, small mid Swedish city, and the new ER entrance at the hospital. It was a competition between three artists. Maria Ängqvist Klyvare's idea was chosen by the committee, and it will be realised some time next year.

I was in second place, with mixed feelings. Disappointment over the missed chance to actually transform the idea into reality, with all the challenges that comes along in the process; artistically, technically, the relation to the architecture and so on.

But also relief as I need to put so much energy into my new part time job as producer/curator at the culture center in one of the Göteborg suburbs, Blå Stället.

three little pieces

I have a good feeling when I walk up the hill to my studio. Relaxed and eager at the same time, as it is when in the middle of the process. Working with a small commission for a hospital, three wall pieces. Just finished the first part. Two more on their way.

Inspiration
- to be reminded of playfulness and fun: cardboardboxoffice.com
- to be reminded of patience and fulfilling one's idea Jee Young Lee

auf widersehen hammarkullen - mosaic project is over

We have finished the mosaic in Hammarkullen, Göteborg —for this year... I will miss my crew. This project has had a big heart and is one of the most fun I've been part of, ever.

Suburban life is absolutely different than inner city, but often I was reminded of my smaller home town. People are closer and everybody knows everybody, always someone to ask for help that will say "yes".

Dona, Hani, Mazlum and Saber, thank you so much for this Mosaikfabriken 2013 part two!

Snow has fallen, now we just have to wait for better weather before the cherry trees can be planted and spring picknicks.

mosaic project part two

We are getting close to the finish line for the second part of our Hammarkulleparken mosaic. The first part was so successfull that a quick decision was made to continue. It was afternoon work for me Saber and Mazlum, Dona and Hani joined us after school for the four week production phase. Nine free standing concrete benches are filled with colors and motives. This time the artistic work had more individual themes - sports, tropical, celebrations of people, patterns...

Last week all mosaic was fixed, after we changed location to a parking deck in one of the apartment blocks in Hammarkullen.

And next week the benches will be placed close to the two entrances to the park.

I am happy, tired and excited. Thankful to all people involved who always say "Yes" and come up with solutions.

A totally different cooperative work Fine cell work, that yet again proves the power of making.
Thank you Henriette Ousbeck for the full story (in Swedish).

summer job

This is the "before" picture, the change will be total before summer is over, in the remade park space in the Gothenburg neighborhood Hammarkullen.

I am into the second week of summer job, along with five young people and a painter in Hammarkullen. We form a little Mosaic Factory for four weeks. In this park there will be a stage platform, and our mosaic work will be put on the side of it.

The people I work with are so energetic, positive and quick to learn, I have problems keeping up.

As an interesting coincidence, exactly a year ago I met another artist, Frida Yngström, while she was working with a commission for the underground tram station in Hammarkullen. Frida Y. made drawings of people, directly on the wall and stayed in one of the Konstepidemin guest studios. At that time Corinne Peterson from Chicago came to visit Sweden, and showed me photos of quite a few commissions she had made, some of them in collaboration with kids.

Somehow it feels like things are coming together. Chicago, where I did a guest appearance lots of years ago, in a Gallery 37 work shop, with Göteborg where I work with teenagers again. This is the first time I make a whole mosaic piece with young people. It's challenging in so many ways, hard work and a lot of fun.

One of the Hammarkullen tram station art works is a painting by Frida Oliv.

one two three - flower wall finish

This week I was in Växjö, to finish the wall work for the rehab bath. I am happy with the result and so is the commissioner.

No time to rest today: I'm off to openings at Galleri 1, Camilla Engman solo show...
And Galleri Mors Mössa..., Helena Roos and Dan Fröberg.

And finally today's big winter event at Konstepidemin, full day with openings, fika, open studios, shop and much more. Program...

flower wall

Work in progress. Next week I will go to Växjö and put all the flowers on a wall. I have a few circles to cut in the prefab mosaic to fit the flowers in; almost there.

Jane Perryman, still a week left of her show at Lerverk. Until 19/11.

testing testing

Progress in the commission for the rehab swim bath in Växjö. I'm trying the colors to see what is missing before I fix the whole design. I enjoy the process but my knees don't.

Finnish sculptor Tommi Toija

Ditte Johansson

Ditte Johansson made a glass piece at the retirement home where my rabbits are. She created sunbeams from the roof top window and all the way to the basement, with glass that spreads light and colour in the staircase.

Ditte Johansson

rabbit and rabbit in the green

There they are, Rabbit and Rabbit. Firmly put, will be keeping watch over the green. I am content with the result, and I hope the people who will live there will appreciate their space. They will move in next month, then we'll know if it works.

There are many other rabbits out there...

Platina jewellery gallery shows Ashes and Diamonds, a selection of Finnish jewellery artists, from August 30.