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Launched/exhibited at Antikmässan together with Knutsson Antik & Konsthandel 6-10/3 2024.
Check out this fine presentation from the exhibition “CRYSTAL MAPS”. Made by gallery FORMAT in June -23.
Peter Hermansson, Trinity, 2023. Photo: Maddoc Photography
KIRSTEN VIKINGSTAD HERMANSSON & PETER HERMANSSON
CRYSTAL MAPS
“There is a desert on the moon where the dreamer sinks so deeply into the ground that she reaches hell.” ― C.G. Jung, ”Man and his symbols”
Taking their point of departure from the unknown "white spots" on the map - the Terra Incognita - Peter Hermansson and Kirsten Vikingstad Hermansson explore cultural symbols and images to create crystal maps depicting man's internal and external struggles.
Peter Hermansson's narrative glass is based on the iconic, historical Swedish Graal technique, which was developed in 1916 by Orrefors glassblower Knut Bergqvist in collaboration with painters Simon Gate and Edward Hald. This method involves working with various layers. The design is carved, engraved, or etched on a parison of colored glass, which is then reheated and cased in a layer of transparent glass of a different color, and inflated. The technique allows the artist to work with sketches, images, and narrative scenes.
Like a psychoanalyst, Peter Hermansson maps and explores man's inner chaos: his fears, anxieties, desires, lusts, angers, aggressions, and disgusts. He uses archetypal symbols that furnish dream scenarios or rather, nightmarish distortions of reality. Atlas, in constant agony, carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. Unstable, slipping, sliding, losing his grip. He is forced down on his knees and onto the ground at the bottom of the stairs by the weight of the monstrous claws and gigantic eyes hovering above him. The eternal wheel rotates in an everlasting pace, moving round and round and never forward, rendering mankind forever doomed. A crystal, surreal map of the human mind, indeed!
Kirsten Vikingstad Hermansson examines the archetype of the explorer by mapping the language of communicating territorial power and manifesting ownership. Using architectural references and symbols of conquest like the tower, the lens, the ring, and the portal, she draws a crystal map of man's aspiration for territorial exploration and conquest. Famous explorers in search of conquering the "white spots" of the map used these symbols as statements to visualize their discoveries and sometimes claim ownership. After Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas, he built the first Spanish fortress in the New World from the remains of his ship. The fortress was called La Navidad and consisted of fortified towers and portals. La Isla Española became the Spanish Kingdom's first colony in the New World, and Columbus its governor and viceroy.
Even today, the practice of exploring territories and sometimes manifesting conquest with symbols is still very much alive, and the topic is most relevant. The maps are being rewritten as we speak. Kirsten draws a sculptural, crystal map of man's ambition for exploring and the power of territory. Some of her massive, tower-like sculptures are constructed of broken pieces and fragments. Some sculptures even have the surface pattern of a hand grenade. A crystal map, depicting the endless, restless hunt of man to discover, explore, and conquer the no longer "white spots".
Maja Heuer
Independent Curator
Peter Hermansson (b. 1975) is an artist based in Nybro, Sweden. He works within the Swedish narrative glass tradition and, with his background in graffiti, he brings a graphically expressive style to glass with the aim of revitalizing Swedish art glass. After studying at Orrefors National Glass School, Hermansson completed a 4-year apprenticeship to deepen and master his craft. Over the past 15 years, he has focused on and developed two Swedish glass techniques, Graal and Ariel. These techniques make it possible to transfer illustrations into the glass mass and tell stories through glass. Storytelling is a central part of Hermansson's work and is closely linked to his advanced craftsmanship. Hermansson debuted in 2009 with the exhibition "DARK TIMES" at the Glassery gallery in Stockholm, and has since exhibited in around 70 shows both in Sweden, Scandinavia, and internationally in countries such as France, the USA, England, Holland, China, and Turkey.
Kirsten Vikingstad Hermansson (b. 1988) is a Norwegian artist based in Småland, Sweden. She has studied glass art at the Glass School in Orrefors, Sweden, the Royal Danish Academy - Design School Bornholm, and the Academy of Arts, Architecture, and Design - Glass Studio of Rony Plesl. In her artwork, Kirsten examines the archetype of the explorer by mapping the language of communicating territorial power and manifesting ownership, using symbols such as the tower, the lens, and the ring. In recent years, her artistic practice has expanded to include larger site-specific public art installations. Kirsten has exhibited her works primarily in group exhibitions in Norway, Scandinavia, Great Britain, Germany, and Canada. Her work has been acquired by collections such as KODE in Bergen. Hermansson is a co-founder of Formbar Glassverksted in Haugesund, Norway.
Kirsten Vikingstad Hermansson, Crystal map, 2023. Photo: Maddoc Photography
GRAFISK VAERKSTED, Naestved DK 24/9 - 24/10 2022
“GRAAL / GRAT”
“Grafisk Værksted Næstved inviterede i 2021 den svenske glaskunstner Peter Hermansson, samt grafiker og medlem Anders Aarvik, til et fælles residency og en mesterlæreudveksling over en uge. Det blev til et maraton af vidensdeling og en undersøgelse af hvordan grafikkens og glaskunstens metoder kan inspirere hinanden.
Rammen om projektet var ideen om slægtskabet mellem dybtryk (kobbertryk) og graal teknikken og relationen til fordybning i fremstillingen af motiver. Grat er et grafisk ord der beskriver en rids i pladen, hvor fordybningen har en egenskab, som afhænger af teknikken. En koldnåls grat virker anderledes end en streg påført med brug af syre. Graal teknikken er ligeledes defineret af relationen af fordybningen under fremstillingsprocessen og værket er afhængigt af kunstnerens evne til at tænke i negative flader under motivarbejdet.”
FORMBAR, Haugesund NO, 11-28/8 2022
“BLUE LINES”
GALLERI MONTAN, COPENHAGEN DK, 1-23/4 2022
“STORIES UNTOLD”
Gallery Montan is very proud to present the Swedish glass artist
Peter Hermansson (born 1975) first solo exhibition in Denmark.
STORIES UNTOLD
Peter Hermansson's art career began at an early age. The powerful graffiti became his means of expression already at the age of 13 and later followed oil painting and poster art.
The artist made a big jump in 2005. The glass then became the material that was to express Peter Hermansson's inner power and explosive desire to produce art in the fascinating material. To be able to work in glass requires great skill and a solid craftsmanship in the old techniques. This shows Peter Hermansson so clearly in his works, at the same time as his powerful expression in his glass art.
Preview Fridag 1. April
04.00 p.m. – 7.00 p.m
1. April – 23. April
Opening hours
Monday - Friday 11.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Saturday 11.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.
Very best,
Claus Montan
Galleri
MONTAN
Bredgade 10
1260 Copenhagen K
Denmark
+45 35 37 00 68
www.montan.dk
montan@montan.dk
Instagram: @gallerimontan
Photo by MADDOC PHOTOGRAPHY.
PUMPHUSET KONSTHALL, LANDSKRONA, 18/9 - 31/10 -21
“THE CONTINENT”
EUROPEAN GLASS CONTEXT 11/9 - 21/11 2021 /Bornholm DK
Bornholm Biennials for contemporary European glass
2 large curated exhibitions at the Bornholm Art Museum and Grønbechs Gård will showcase the best of European glass.
I´m representing Sweden with my piece “THE CARRIER” at Grønbechs gård.
GRAND ANTIQUES ART & DESIGN 9-12/9 2021
Liljevalchs Konsthall, Stockholm
For this Art & Antiques fair I’ve made two custom-built cabinets for two series of mini graal.
These are made in light beech tree inside with a dark oak frame. Made by Andreas Flink.
I’m showing these cabinets at Knutssons Konst & Antik´s booth.
Cabinet Nr.1 “The Transition”
Cabinet Nr.2 “Aniara”
GLAZENHUIS 6/4 - 13/10 2019
Flemish Centre for Contemporary Glass Art
Dorp 14b - 3920 Lommel - Belgium
“SE GLASS brings a colourful mix of modern factory design as well as contemporary art, covering more than half a century. Through the works of 22 Swedish artists and designers we try to identify the characteristic techniques, form language, use of colour and expression of Swedish Glass. “
