Art in Times of Change

"Pink Sails" focuses on Swedish art from the first four decades of the 20th century, a period of rapid social and cultural changes. The exhibition presents about 100 works by artists such as Anna Casparsson, Siri Derkert, Sven X-et Erixson, Isaac Grünewald, Sigrid Hjertén, Bror Hjorth, Hilding Linnqvist, Vera Nilsson, Ragnar Sandberg, and Otte Sköld.

Matilda Olof-Ors, the curator of the exhibition, explains: "We got the title of the exhibition from Ragnar Sandberg's painting 'Pink Sails' from 1934. It was a time when Sweden was rapidly transforming from an agricultural society into an industrial nation. Social reforms and optimism about the future mingled with military armaments and fears of an inevitable world war."

From Nature to Industry

The exhibition shows how artists reacted to the dramatic changes in their surroundings. The presented works reflect the tension between traditional rural life and the developing cities and industry. Particularly interesting are the paintings depicting northern Sweden, where the exploitation of natural resources collided with the traditional lifestyle of the Sámi people.

Dreams, Feelings, and Memories

"Pink Sails" also illustrates how artists turned towards their inner world of feelings, dreams, and memories in response to the rationalization of society. The exhibition presents works inspired by literature, folk tales, and myths, as well as pieces by self-taught artists.

Contemporary Perspectives

The exhibition links works from the early 20th century with contemporary pieces, such as Caroli Grahn's sculpture "Horizon of Me(aning)" from 2015/2023. This juxtaposition highlights how themes addressed by modernists remain relevant in today's context.

"Today, a hundred years later, there is war in Europe again, and society is changing even faster and more extensively. Now, as before, we turn to the resources of nature to address contemporary challenges" - summarizes Matilda Olof-Ors.

The exhibition "Pink Sails" will be open to the public from June 17, 2023, until spring 2025. This is a unique opportunity to explore the history of Swedish art and see how artists responded to the changing world around them.

Moderna Museet invites all art lovers, historians, and those interested in culture to visit the exhibition and discover the richness of Swedish modernism.

More information can be found on the official Moderna Museet website.