The Maria Bonnier Dahlin Foundation was established by Jeanette Bonnier, in memory of her daughter Maria, who lost her life in a car accident at the age of 20. Studying architecture at Columbia University in New York City at the time of her death in 1985, Maria was involved in the young art scene at the time. Trend-setting artist Keith Haring, a close friend of Maria’s, created the painting For Maria June 1985 as a tribute to her life. We now celebrate the foundation’s 30th anniversary with a large group exhibition at Bonniers Konsthall.
The Maria Bonnier Dahlin Foundation has consistently looked for the new and innovative, and supported young artists. Past grant recipients work within a wide variety of methods and expressions, and the exhibition therefore includes a broad spectrum of paintings, sculptures, videos, drawings, subjects and installations. The pieces shown in the exhibition has been purchased by the foundation from the artists as they were awarded the grant. Each work offers a snapshot of a specific artistic practice and time, but together they also embody the developments in Swedish art over three decades. What was cutting edge in the 1980s and 90s is now cultural history, even considered cultish. Working conditions have altered, influences have shifted and digital advancements have created a radically new framework for art and artists.
The foundation continues its work by awarding annual grants to young Swedish artists. The 2015 grant recipients were sculptors Caspar Forsberg, Linus Nordensson Spångberg and Max Ockborn, who will exhibit entirely new work at the exhibition.
A comprehensive book, edited by Niclas Östlind and published by Bonnier Fakta, will accompany the exhibition. The book is based around new interviews with the grant recipients, in which they discuss their work at the time when they received the grants, what inspired them, just what was taking place in the art world at that time and what they consider to be the greatest shifts that have taken place – all from their individual perspectives. In addition, we get to know about their current endeavours. Along with extensive image- and archival material, both the book and exhibition offer unique insights into the Swedish art world from the 1980s to the present.
Grant Recipients
Eva Löfdahl
Sissel Tolaas
Föreningen Läderfabriken
Lena Laurin Karlström
Fredrik Wretman
Martin Wickström
Cecilia Edefalk
Roger Risberg
Martin Ålund
Per Hüttner
Stefan Karlsson
Cecilia Sikström
Sissel Wibom
Thomas Olsson
Sunniva McAlinden
Olov Tällström
Mamma Andersson
Birgitta Muhr
Gunnar Larsson
Peter Ern
Arijana Kajfes
Michael West
Thomas Henriksson
Karin Ohlin
Klara Kristalova
Richard G Carlsson
Björn Stampes
Johanna Karlin
Magnus Wassborg
Cecilia Parsberg
Åsa Larsson
Carl-Fredrik Ekström
Tanja Airaksinen
Eva Marklund
Fredrik Persson
Helena Mutanen
Jacob Dahlgren
Linn Fernström
Marcus Eek
Björn Perborg
Charlotte Enström
Petra Lindholm
Sonja Nilsson
Stina Stigell
Thomas Broomé
Ann Böttcher
Gunnel Wåhlstrand
Tilda Lovell
Lisa Jeannin
Lisa Jonasson
Johan Svensson
Lina Selander
Lars Brunström
Ninia Sverdrup
Caroline Mårtensson
Johannes Heldén
Martin Sundvall
EvaMarie Lindahl
Jessica Faiss
Mathias Kristersson
Kristina Matousch
Sofia Bäcklund
Viktor Rosdahl
Paul Fägerskiöld
Jenny Yurshansky
Kico Wigren
Olof Lindström
Nadja Bournonville
Pauliina Pietilä
Sara Wallgren
Josef Bull
Nanna Nordström
Olof Inger
Dit Cilinn
Ellisif Hals
Gideonsson / Londré
Linus Nordensson Spångberg
Max Ockborn
Caspar Forsberg
