Kjell Strandqvist | Mallar 1991
Kjell Strandqvist’s paintings often combine the defined with the undefined, frequently utilizing a distinct, simple form as a vessel for coloristic events. His colors possess a dense, imaginary relationship that is sometimes more felt than seen. In his first exhibition at Berg Gallery, he presents a series of paintings under the common title Mallar (’Templates’). The works were originally shown in 1991 at Galerie Aronowitsch in Stockholm, where Strandqvist exhibited on a regular basis between 1983 and 2009. Yet, these works possess a distinctly timeless quality. The compositions show softly defined rectangular fields in muted colors – like the hues of nature at twilight – surrounded by edges that have been left unpainted, revealing the white canvas.
Strandqvist describes the works in the exhibition as follows: ”Stencils cut from copper printing paper, placed on a horizontal canvas and filled with color, then lifted off before the paint is fully dry. When diluted acrylic paint accumulates and dries uncontrollably, it creates islands dense with pigment – a kind of nature. The paint seeps beneath the stencil, deforming the otherwise strict configuration. Its simple geometry acquires an organic character through the behavior of the pigment. The formations of the painting sometimes extend to the outer edges of the square, leaving an uneven white margin. Certain combinations occasionally create asymmetric coloristic encounters. The slightly deformed appearances created by the stencils recalled some sort of essence, overgrown architecture, peculiar shapes.”
Kjell Strandqvist (b. 1944, Härnösand) lives and works in Stockholm. His artistic career spans more than five decades and includes a large number of solo and group exhibitions throughout Scandinavia and Europe. Previous solo exhibition venues include Galerie Aronowitsch, Stockholm (2009, 1997, 1994, 1992, 1985, etc.), Kungl. Konstakademien, Stockholm (2019, 2014, 2013, 2004), Galleri Mariann Ahnlund, Umeå (2007, 2001, 1992), Thielska Galleriet, Stockholm (2003, 1988), i8 Gallery, Reykjavik (1999) Centre Culturel Suédois, Paris (1984), and Galleri Olsson, Stockholm (1982). In addition to his artistic practice, Strandqvist served as a professor at The Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm from 1986 to 1996. He has also been a board member of Moderna Museets Vänner, Maria Bonniers Dahlins Stiftelse, and The Academy of Fine Arts. From 1998 to 2006, he worked as a project leader at Statens Konstråd / Public Art Agency Sweden.
