Art of expression refers to the Swedish word for expressionism. The seven artists were of the same generation in the 30s and 40s, except for Börje Veslen (b. 1903). Ragnar von Holten writes in the preface of the catalog about the exhibition’s intention set in the spirit of the time that prevails around 1970. Expression, to a power and to a personal message that can be perceived as universal, as it is never allowed to decay into a loose aestheticization. At a time when the demands for art’s clearly stated political commitment are sometimes allowed in the debate to question the intrinsic value of art at all, it may be justified to recall the expressionist alternative. ”

In a letter with an invitation from the art gallery’s Ingvar Claeson with the headline To the teachers in Södertälje! you can read that the art gallery intends to start with Monday evenings. The first will be on August 24 at 7:30 p.m. Every Monday, something interesting will happen for the residents of Södertälje. A lecture, a discussion, a film or some other activity. Of the seven exhibitors in Art of expression, 53 works in various techniques were shown on the ground floor of Södertälje konsthall. “An opportunity to talk about the means a painter and graphic artist can use in their image creation. Unless I am bound by something else, I am happy to stand up and say a few words about the exhibited works. ” concludes Claeson.

The seven exhibitors were: Börje Veslen, Erland Cullberg, Sven-Erik Johansson, Bengt Landin, Lennart Landqvist, Ralph Lundqvist and Hans Wigert.

Sources: Catalog, art gallery’s archive folder, compiled by Anneli Karlsson.