Gränstrakt (Border Land)

Skåne landscape painting meets contemporary works as art museums in Malmö and Ystad open a joint exhibition.

The exhibition 'Gränstrakt' is based on the extensive collections of Skåne landscape paintings from the period 1850–1950 at Malmö Art Museum and Ystad Art Museum. Older paintings are displayed in dialogue with contemporary works at both museums. 'Gränstrakt' is an exhibition displayed in two locations.

Through the lens of landscape painting, we gain insight into our relationship with nature and ourselves over time. Today, questions about national identity and belonging in relation to art and culture have once again become relevant in Swedish politics. The exhibition 'Gränstrakt' problematizes the role of landscape painting in relation to notions of a culturally homogeneous and original place in the past and how artistic representations have been used to create feelings of belonging.

At Ystad Art Museum, 'Gränstrakt' delves into the first half of the 20th century and features five landscape painters who are well represented in the collections. Their paintings are juxtaposed with contemporary works that explore questions of place and identity. Through this encounter, we gain insight into how cultural heritage influences our perception of the landscape and rural areas today. Landscape images not only appear in art but also in contexts such as advertising and marketing. Stereotypical images of Skåne are used to attract both tourists and investors. Landscape images are also used in political campaigns, both to convey hope for a greener future and conservative notions that the past was better.

Today, views on nature are one of the strongest elements in Swedish national consciousness. Questions about national cohesion in relation to art and culture are highly relevant, especially in light of ongoing efforts to develop a Swedish cultural canon.

“Our collections contain many stories that are shaped over time and through the selection of artworks we make in both acquisitions and presentations. Each image carries so much more than the motif it depicts. By showcasing a selection of our historical landscape paintings, placing them in a contemporary context, and initiating new encounters across time and space, we raise new questions and perspectives that enrich our understanding of our history and how it has shaped the times we live in,” says Ýrr Jónasdóttir, director of Ystad Art Museum.

Curators: Julia Björnberg, Anna Johansson, and Ellen Klintenberg.

'Gränstrakt' is displayed at Malmö Art Museum and Ystad Art Museum from May 18th to November 3rd. The exhibition is part of 'Den platta jorden' – a network for artistic exploration of Skåne.