Market Art Fair

Market Art Fair’s director, Sara Berner Bengtsson, shares her personal art itinerary for the Easter holiday

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Sara Berner Bengtsson. Photo by Jean-Baptiste Béranger

Easter is the perfect time to catch up on exhibitions and fully immerse yourself in some art-seeing. Join Market Art Fair’s Director, Sara Berner Bengtsson on an Easter-themed art journey across Sweden

“Easter has always been my favorite holiday. Winters in Sweden can be long and relentless, but Easter signals the return of light and warmth. You get a few well-deserved days off – without the pressure of rigid traditions – and let’s not forget the Easter food (and candy)… It’s also the perfect time to catch up on exhibitions and fully immerse yourself in some art-seeing.”

“Where I’m from in southern Sweden, Easter is synonymous with the “konstrunda” (literally, “art tour”). Local artists, often based in the countryside, open their studios and workshops to visitors, who are invited to view and purchase their work. The tradition began in the 1960s in Österlen, a region that has drawn artists since the 18th century, and has since spread across Sweden, including Värmland, Uppland, and Öland. Inspired by the konstrunda, I’ve created my own art tour across Sweden, and I’d love for you to join me. Since Easter is a time for a bit of magic, let’s imagine we don’t have to worry about transportation – or perhaps we’ll just hop on our broomsticks like a real “påskärring” (the folklore witch who flies to Blåkulla at Easter).”

 

  • Britta Marakatt Labba showing her presentation with Galleri Helle Knudsen at Market Art Fair in 2023. Photo by Jean Lapin

We begin our tour far to the north in Nikkaluokta, a small village nearly 200 kilometers above the Arctic Circle. Home to just ten families, it’s not your typical art destination. But here you’ll find an exhibition by Sámi artist Britta Marakatt-Labba, world-renowned for her narrative embroideries. In this show, she presents new printed works. Just last week, Marakatt-Labba unveiled a major commission for the High Line in New York – one of her largest sculptures to date, soon to be seen near the Whitney Museum.

Read more: Britta-Marakatt Labba’s ‘Historjá (2003–2007) was listed as one of the 100 best artworks of the 21st century. 

“Next, we head south to Västerås Konstmuseum for the first large-scale retrospective of Ulla Wiggen. Spanning more than 60 years, this unique survey includes many works on loan from private collections and is a rare opportunity to experience a living piece of Swedish art history.”

 

  • Works by Theresa Traore Dahlberg at Carl Eldh. Photos by Martina Hoogland Ivanow, courtesy of Carl Eldh Studio Museum

“In Stockholm, we face a tough choice: the newly opened Ernst Billgren exhibition at Nationalmuseum, or Dick Bengtsson at Sven-Harrys Konstmuseum? Ultimately, we opt for the more intimate Carl Eldh Studio Museum. Each year, the museum invites a female artist to respond to Eldh’s work and space. This year’s guest is the internationally acclaimed Theresa Traoré Dahlberg, celebrated for her monumental sculptures and poetic films. Her exhibition opens on 15 May, during the fair. But even beyond that, the museum’s collection and its lush, hidden location always give me the perfect spring feeling.

  • Sculpture by Tobias Bradford in Saskia Neuman Gallery's presentation at Market Art Fair 2024. Photo by Jean-Baptiste Béranger

“We make a quick detour to Trollhättan to visit Trollhättans Konsthall, where Tobias Bradford presents two kinetic sculptures. His work, known for its uncanny and absurd reflections on childhood, is both eerie and enchanting.”

“As I’ll be spending Easter in Skåne, I have to include some personal favorites from my hometown of Lund. Join the locals and grab an ice cream from Syster Jakobs, then enjoy it on a sunny bench by the south side of the cathedral. From there, stroll through Lundagård park, where the magnolias are beginning to bloom, on your way to Skissernas Museum. This one-of-a-kind museum houses the world’s largest collection of preparatory sketches and models for public art. Don’t miss works by Henri Matisse, Sonia Delaunay, Jenny Holzer, and Fernand Léger.”

  • Internationella salen, Skissernas Museum in Lund. Photo by Åke E son Lindman, courtesy of Skissernas Museum
  • Neon sculptures by Gun Gordillo in 2112's booth at Market Art Fair 2024. Photo by Jean Lapin

“We wrap up our journey with a quick hop across the Sound to Copenhagen and Copenhagen Contemporary. This space always reminds me of a Nordic Palais de Tokyo – you go not just for a specific show, but to discover something unexpected. That said, don’t miss the exhibition by British artist Emma Talbot, and be sure to catch Gun Gordillo’s (presented last year at Market Art Fair by 2112 Gallery) stunning neon installations Porta Blanca, Stratos, and Roxi.”

“Thank you for coming along on this 1,500-kilometer-long art journey. I hope your Easter holiday is filled with art, rest, inspiration – and plenty of good food.”

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