Lars-Gunnar Nordström

The pride of Finnish Concretism, Lars-Gunnar Nordström, is represented in the current Modern + Contemporary & Design –auction by four works from the 1960s and 1980s. This artistically uncompromising jazz-lover enjoys popularity not only in his home country of Finland but also more widely in the Nordic countries, especially in Sweden. The lively artistic circles of the neighbouring country attracted Nordström early in his career. An exchange of ideas with his artist colleagues provided much inspiration for his artistic development. Sweden, at the time ahead of Finland in the field of abstract art, was also more prepared to receive Nordström’s brave and ambitious views.
Of the four works up for auction this autumn three are from private collections in Sweden. The typically concretist geometry and the clear colours represent the essence of Nordström’s personal style – the surfaces of colour are smooth, shiny and the edges are clean-cut, without signs of the artist’s hand. The black and white palette is intensified using blue in three works and green in the fourth. Nordström has noted that for him, colour is the fuel that powers the engine, the form. When standing in front of the works the viewer can visually realise the truth in this statement. The dynamic and rhythmic shapes, combined with the intensity of the colours tell the story of the artist’s successful journey to the purity of concretism.

This item is collected at Iso Roobertinkatu 12 after the auction has ended.