Lars-Gunnar Nordström
Galerie Forsblom November 29–December 22, 2019
Opening on November 28, 2019, 5–7 PM
Lars-Gunnar Nordström (1924–2014) was a pioneer of Finnish post-war abstract art. His work is distinguished by its compositional dynamism, precision, and superbly controlled treatment of color. Nordström’s paintings and sculptures are a pure celebration of the universal characteristics of form, color and line. The installation was curated by the artist Matti Kujasalo (b. 1946), who ranks among Finland’s most widely renowned modernizers of the Constructivist legacy.
Nordström was famous throughout the Nordic region not only as an influential art practitioner but also as a teacher and writer. Before embarking on a career in art, Nordström dreamed of becoming an architect and studied furniture design. Alongside his artistic work, he occasionally designed furniture, scenography and commercial graphics.
Nordström is also known for his impressive jazz collection comprising over 14,000 vinyls, which by all indications, is Finland’s largest existing collection of jazz music. The collection currently belongs to the Finnish National Library, and samples will be played during the exhibition at Galerie Forsblom. Nordström often emphasized how it was important to appreciate his work without rushing: their inherent visual rhythms would then emerge as “music for the eyes.” Galerie Forsblom offers guests a rare simultaneous immersion into both his jazz collection and the musical dimension of his art on December 11 and December 18 at 5–7 PM.
The exhibition was co-produced with the L-G Nordström Foundation.