Press release -
Inspiration – Iconic Works opens at Nationalmuseum on 20 February
On 20 February, an exhibition of iconic works and how they have influenced contemporary artists opens at Nationalmuseum in Sweden. One of the exhibition’s key questions is why some works of art have become more famous than others? Artists in the exhibition include Marina Abramović, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Nancy Fouts, Mark Karasick, Sara Masüger, Kiki Smith, Yinka Shonibare and Henrik Jonsson.
The 19th century was the great century of the foundation of museums in Europe. Art history was built up via the collections, the museums’ exhibitions, and the art history handbooks. The works in the Inspiration – Iconic Works exhibition emphasise the strong links between art history and contemporary art. More than thirty artists from various parts of the world are participating, to show how they have worked with the great names of Western art such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Georges de la Tour, Vermeer, Velásquez, Goya and also Rodin.
“We are quite accustomed with being able to visit museums and art exhibitions during our leisure time. On the other hand however, we rarely think about how the great story of art history has emerged, or on the important role that museums have played in this context. The exhibition reflects on the influence that this long tradition has in today’s visual culture,” says Susanna Pettersson, Director General of Nationalmuseum and one of the exhibition’s curators.
Some of the works of art were created specifically for the exhibition; this includes such work as Ola Kolehmainen’s photographs of museums and some classics such as Nefertitis’ head, Sara Masüger’s interpretation of the Laocoön Group and Mark Karasick’s work with Michelangelo’s drawing as a starting point. In addition, Joseph Kosuth decided to produce a brand new work of art which is based on a painting in the collections of Nationalmuseum. The other works of art are known from previous contexts, such as Jeff Koons Gazing Ball (Mona Lisa) from 2015 and Jake and Dinos Chapmans The Phases of War from 2001. As a part of the exhibition, a dialogue takes place between these and a selection of older works from Nationalmuseum’s collections.
A comprehensive publication together with a multi-faceted programme activities and showings to the public provide further in-depth perspectives. One example that can be mentioned is a seminar conference with the curators of the exhibition, the authors of the catalogue and some of the artists, which will be arranged on 20 February.
The exhibition is curated by Susanna Pettersson, Director General of Nationalmuseum and James Putnam, Curator, London.
Inspiration – Iconic Works is a collaboration between Nationalmuseum and Ateneum Art Museum, Finnish National Gallery, Helsinki. The exhibition will be on display at Nationalmuseum from 20 February to 17 May, and at Ateneum Art Museum from 18 June to 20 September 2020.
Press preview
The press is invited to a press preview of the exhibition on Wednesday, 19 February. Entrance via the main entrance from 11:00; the introduction to the exhibition starts at approximately 11:15. Several of the artists such as Mark Karasick, Sara Masüger and Ola Kolehmainen plus curator James Putnam will be present. RSVP by 17 February to press@nationalmuseum.se. Please note that accreditation is needed to participate.
For more information
Hanna Tottmar, Head of press, press@nationalmuseum.se, +46 (0)8 5195 4400
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Nationalmuseum is Sweden’s museum of art and design. The collections include paintings, sculpture, drawings and graphic art from the 16th century up to the beginning of the 20th century and the collection of applied art and design up to the present day. The museum building closed for renovation in 2013 and reopened in autumn 2018. During 2019 the museum had almost 850 000 visits.
