Nordic Artists in the Spotlight for Research and Catalogues Raisonnés

Akseli Gallen-Kallela: Lemminkäinen’s Mother, 1897. Finnish National Gallery / Ateneum Art Museum, coll. Antell. Photo: Hannu Pakarinen / Finnish National Gallery

Nordic Art Intelligence Foundation announces its mission to promote the work of Nordic artists on the national and international stages through art historical research, scholarship, and the publication of digital catalogues raisonnés. Key projects include the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of paintings of Finnish artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865-1931) and the collaboration with the Torsten Andersson Foundation and its newly initiated catalogue raisonné of paintings by Swedish artist Torsten Andersson (1926-2009).

Nordic Art Intelligence (NAI) is a nonprofit foundation established in 2021 and based in Helsinki, whose aim is to promote prominent visual artists in the Nordic region and further knowledge of their work through catalogue raisonné research and online publications. 

The foundation will oversee the research, publication, and promotion of artists’ catalogues raisonnés, to be freely accessible to the public online. NAI will provide advice and support for the digitization and development of existing catalogues raisonnés. NAI intends to work closely with public institutions, scholars, and art professionals to deepen the critical understanding of Nordic artists and their oeuvres, and foster collaboration in the Nordic region between different research bodies, resources, and archival practices. The work of NAI reflects the growing reputation of Nordic artists within the international art market and academia. 

The first catalogue raisonné undertaken and to be published by NAI addresses the work of Akseli Gallen-Kallela, one of the most important figures in Finnish art history. The Akseli Gallen-Kallela catalogue raisonné was initiated in October 2018. NAI assumed responsibility of the project in September 2021. This publication is based on forty years of research conducted by the artist’s granddaughter, Aivi Gallen-Kallela-Sirén. This research has been edited and augmented by Irene Riihimäki, head of research, with information contributed by more than thirty institutions in Finland and abroad. The publication date of Akseli Gallen-Kallela’s catalogue raisonné is forthcoming.

Torsten Andersson, Staty på Saturnus, Ny tyngdkraft, Ny epok, 1988. ©Torsten Andersson

In addition, NAI announces its partnership with the Torsten Andersson Foundation in the preparation of the catalogue raisonné of paintings by Torsten Andersson 1952–2009, edited by Sofia Bertilsson (MFA, member of icra.art). The Swedish modernist painter is known for his representation of three-dimensional objects and architectural fragments as two-dimensional images, and translation of abstract sculptures or soft textiles in paint. Considered a radical figure within Swedish art history, Andersson represented his country at the São Paulo Art Biennial in 1959 and 1983, and the Venice Biennale in 1964. The Torsten Andersson catalogue raisonné will be the first such pilot project in Sweden.

Susanna Pettersson, Director General at the Nationalmuseum, Sweden, and Chair of Board of NAI said “Nordic art attracts increasing interest internationally. Catalogues raisonnés will open completely new opportunities to researchers and curators worldwide.” Additionally, Georges Armaos, managing director of NAI stated that “Our aim is to increase understanding in the Nordics that catalogue raisonnés and their research do not only concern dead artists. They concern the present and especially the future of visual arts and art history.” Sofia Bertilsson, Editor, Torsten Andersson catalogue raisonné, added “We want the newly initiated Torsten Andersson catalogue raisonné to be part of a dialogue and to evolve in a transparent way. The digital catalogues raisonnés offer an open model where material can be made available for research at an early stage and by partnering with NAI, the project is developed in an academic and collegial context in the Nordics.”

The Board of the Nordic Art Intelligence is led by Dr. Susanna Pettersson, Director General at the Nationalmuseum, Sweden; Elizabeth Gorayeb (PhD), Executive Director of the Wildenstein Plattner Institute, New York; Matti Hautsalo, Director of the Bentmind Group, Helsinki; and Georges Armaos (PhD), a director at Gagosian, London.

For PRESS ENQUIRIES please contact Irene Riihimäki: 
info@nordicartintelligence.org
Press kit with press release in English, Swedish and Finnish.
For further information please visit: 
www.nordicartintelligence.org and https://torstenandersson.com/en/home/