In a book-filled studio in Stockholm, Karin Mamma Andersson creates paintings that transform the ordinary—vases, landscapes, and the like—into another realm that exists somewhere between fact and fiction. Because her subjects are familiar they might evoke a sort of existential sense of deja vu. This fall, Andersson’s work is being celebrated in a major and career spanning solo exhibition at the Louisiana Museum in Denmark, on view through October 10th. In Stockholm, a pandemic-stalled project with Svenskt Tenn finally came to life. The company, which is something of a national treasure, was founded in 1924 by artist Estrid Ericson, who cultivated talents in art, furniture, and interior design. The most fruitful of Ericson’s working relationships was with the Austrian architect Josef Frank. Together they created the Swedish Modern style, which combines functionality with expressive, nature-inspired forms and patterns. Andersson’s collection for Svenskt Tenn builds on these traditions. Titled The Discreet Charm, it includes freehand painted porcelains, as well as her installation at the store. Here, the artist discusses her banner year at home and abroad, below.
It’s been a big year, with the show at Louisiana and now this collaboration.... Yes, indeed. I usually work with my galleries, this is something else. From the very start I saw working with Svenskt Tenn as a fun project. The priority is and has been the exhibition in Louisiana, perhaps the most important in my life. The exhibition spans a long part of my career. It starts approximately where my solo exhibition at Moderna Museet finished in 2007 and shows paintings until today. Overall there are 60 paintings that have been carefully selected. How does it feel? Well, I do not know, there has been a lot going on in the last few months, but of course it is absolutely fantastic. Nearly every day since the exhibition at Louisiana opened people have been sending me text messages and have been in touch, all with positive responses.