Exhibition of Swedish prints go on show at National Gallery

Press Release, May 2005

"From Darkness Into Light: Printmaking in Sweden 1890-1960"
Print Gallery (7 September - 4 December 2005). Admission free.

An exhibition of nineteenth and twentieth-century Swedish prints will go on view in the National Gallery of Ireland (Print Gallery) from 7th September until 4th December 2005. Admission is free.

The exhibition, entitled "From Darkness Into Light: Printmaking in Sweden 1890-1960", comprises some 6o black and white prints largely drawn from the collection of the Swedish Fine Art Print Society (FfGK), including a fine selection of prints by Axel Fridell (1894-1935) from the renowned personal collection of HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.

Anne Hodge, curator of the exhibition and author of the accompanying illustrated brochure, says that this is the first exhibition of its kind to be shown in Ireland and is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the work of twentieth-century Swedish printmakers whose work is notable for its virtuosity and technical experimentation. Many of the images give an insight into a distinctive way of seeing and recording life, inspired in part by the dark winter days and the breathtaking grandeur of the Nordic landscape.

Like their Irish contemporaries, Swedish artists were driven by their relative isolation to seek inspiration, training and patronage in the great art centres of London, Paris and Berlin. One of the most exciting and influential printmakers of the period was Axel Fridell (1894-1935) who, like many others of his generation, spent time in Paris and London to study and hone their art. Among the other artists whose work is represented in this show are Stig Borglind (1892-1965), Albert Engström (1896-1940), Prins Eugen (1865-1947), Maja Fjæstad (1873-1961), Carl Flodman (1863-1888), Ragnhild Nordensten (1888-1951), Hans Norsbo (1897-1955), Anders Zorn (1860-1920).

The exhibition is accompanied by an illustrated brochure (available from the Gallery Shop, price €2) with essays by Karl Haskel, Chairman of the FfGK, Rachelle Puryear, Printmaker, and Anne Hodge, Curator of Prints and Drawings.
A series of talks around the exhibition will take place in the Gallery's Lecture Theatre each Sunday and Tuesday throughout September (admission free).

"From Darkness into Light: Printmaking in Sweden 1890-1960" has been organised in conjunction with a Graphic Studio Gallery exhibition (8 September-1 October 2005) featuring the work of contemporary Swedish printmakers, curated by James McCreary and Lars Nyberg. There will also be a special week of Swedish events taking place in venues around Dublin. Visit www.nationalgallery.ie or www.graphicstudiodublin.com

For further information, contact:

Valerie Keogh
Press & Communications Office
National Gallery of Ireland
Telephone (01) 661 5133
Email press@ngi.ie

How to Find Us:
National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Square & Clare Street, Dublin 2.
Telephone + 353 (0) 1 661 5133
Website www.nationalgallery.ie

Gallery Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday 9.30am-5.30pm; Thursday 9.30am-8.30pm; Sunday 12.00pm-5.30pm

A Week of Swedish Events in Dublin, 5-10 September 2005:

Concert: 'From Sweden with Love!' National Concert Hall (5 September, 8pm) Box Office: Telephone 01- 4170000
Print Walk & Talk: guided exhibition tours will take place on 8 September at the following venues: National Gallery of Ireland (11am); Chester Beatty Library (12pm) Graphic Studio Gallery (1pm).
Poetry Reading: with Arne Johnsson and Carolina Thorell, Graphic Studio Gallery (8 September, 2pm)
Print Workshop: with artist Lina Nordenström Graphic Studio Gallery (10 September, 10am-4pm, €40.

Pre booking is advised for the guided exhibition tours, readings and workshops. Telephone Niamh McGrath, Graphic Studio Gallery (01) 679 8021.