20.2. – 17.5. 2020

Inspiration - Iconic Works

Nationalmuseum, Stockholm

Contemporary art side by side with classical works

How have international contemporary artists been inspired by the classics of European art? And why is it these works, in particular, that have become known around the world? Inspiration – Iconic Works presents art that draws inspiration from iconic masterpieces, created by today’s contemporary artists. A selection of works from Nationalmuseum's vast collections are displayed in dialogue with the contemporary art objects.

The building blocks of the visual DNA of Western art can be traced back to a number of iconic works, so called signature pieces that have strong relevance in today’s world from the sculptures of antiquity to Mona Lisa and Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker– just to mention some of the examples. Interestingly, the art historical narrative was shaped hand in hand with the collection and display practices of 19th century museums in Europe and these signature pieces play a leading role in the story of art no matter if we look at the earliest art historical publications or the latest versions on the same issue. 

Inspiration – Iconic Works tells the story of the signature works: what they were, where they emerged and why and how they have influenced the contemporary art scene. Another aspect of the exhibition addresses the significance of the museum buildings, for example through a series of contemporary photographic interpretations by Ola Kolehmainen, a Finnish artist based in Berlin. The Nationalmuseum building is also part of the story.

The exhibition features works by artists such as Marina Abramović, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Nancy Fouts, Mark Karasick, Sara Masüger, Kiki Smith and Yinka Shonibare. A selection from Nationalmusum’s vast collections of paintings, plaster casts, drawings and applied arts is presented in dialogue with the contemporary art. 

A major publication, edited by Dr. Susanna Pettersson will accompany the exhibition.

The exhibition is curated by Susanna Pettersson, Director General, Nationalmuseum and James Putnam, curator, London.

In collaboration

Inspiration – Iconic Works has been organized in collaboration with the Ateneum Art Museum, Finnish National Gallery, Helsinki. The exhibition is on display in Helsinki from June 18 until September 20, 2020.

Exhibited artist:

Marina Abramovic, Paul Benney, Patricio Bosich, Glenn Brown, Rob & Nick Carter, Jake & Dinos Chapman, Mat Collishaw, Freddy Fabris, Nancy Fouts, Susanne Gottberg, Stephane Graff, Henry Hudson, Tom Hunter, Henrik Jonsson, Mark Karasick, Rachel Kneebone, Ola Kolehmainen, Jeff Koons, Joseph Kosuth, Wolfe von Lenkiewicz, Heikki Marila, Hynek Martinec, Sara Masüger, Alexander Mihaylovich, Jarmo Mäkilä, Cristiano Pintaldi, Marc Quinn, Recycle Group, Andrey Blokhin & Georgy Kuznetsov, Aurora Reinhard, Anna Riwkin, Jenny Saville, Meekyoung Shin, Yinka Shonibare CBE, Kiki Smith, Gavin Turk, Koen Vanmechelen, Nicola Verlato, Hugo Wilson.