For the first time Galleri Lars Bohman shows a selection of sculptures by Asmund Arle, one of the most prominent Swedish sculptors of the 20th century.
Asmund Arle (1918-1990) came from a farming family in the south of Sweden and grew up close to the different animals that later dominated his artistic works. After the years at the Royal Academy, where he among others studied for Eric Grate, Arle along with his family moved to France in 1949. They lived outside of Paris, in Villiers-le-Bel. There he studied and made numerous drawing of the animals that were taken to the adjacent slaughterhouse. Some of these drawings became sketches for sculptures and it was during this period that Arle made his first bronzes of calves. From this period date also the small bronze sculptures by the son Staffan. The sculptures of the son, just as the bronze calves, exude a fragility and vulnerability in connection with an inner strength that in large have become synonymous with the sculptures of Arle. During his time in France, Arle came in close contact with the works by Auguste Rodin and he was also greatly impressed by Alberto Giacometti. The loneliness and eternal strive in Giacometti’s art is later found also in Arle’s work.
Back in Sweden, Arle had his first solo exhibition at Galleri Färg och Form in 1959. His wife died unexpectedly in 1961 which for a period of time made Arle incapable to work. However, the lust to create and the inspiration returned to the artist when he met Lizzie Olsson, who became his second wife. Arle’s sculptures of kittens, pigs, birds, calves and horses were created with all the more movement and expressionism.
After his time as professor at the Royal Academy in Stockholm 1961-1971, the horse sculptures were in focus. Many of them speak about the extreme conditions of life, such as birth and death.
For further information and press images, please contact the gallery.
Asmund Arle (1918-1990) came from a farming family in the south of Sweden and grew up close to the different animals that later dominated his artistic works. After the years at the Royal Academy, where he among others studied for Eric Grate, Arle along with his family moved to France in 1949. They lived outside of Paris, in Villiers-le-Bel. There he studied and made numerous drawing of the animals that were taken to the adjacent slaughterhouse. Some of these drawings became sketches for sculptures and it was during this period that Arle made his first bronzes of calves. From this period date also the small bronze sculptures by the son Staffan. The sculptures of the son, just as the bronze calves, exude a fragility and vulnerability in connection with an inner strength that in large have become synonymous with the sculptures of Arle. During his time in France, Arle came in close contact with the works by Auguste Rodin and he was also greatly impressed by Alberto Giacometti. The loneliness and eternal strive in Giacometti’s art is later found also in Arle’s work.
Back in Sweden, Arle had his first solo exhibition at Galleri Färg och Form in 1959. His wife died unexpectedly in 1961 which for a period of time made Arle incapable to work. However, the lust to create and the inspiration returned to the artist when he met Lizzie Olsson, who became his second wife. Arle’s sculptures of kittens, pigs, birds, calves and horses were created with all the more movement and expressionism.
After his time as professor at the Royal Academy in Stockholm 1961-1971, the horse sculptures were in focus. Many of them speak about the extreme conditions of life, such as birth and death.
For further information and press images, please contact the gallery.