Dawid

About

Born 1949 in Örebro, Sweden.
Lives and works in Stockholm, Sweden.

Dawid (Björn Dawidsson) is one of Sweden’s most respected and well-known photo-based artists. The main body of his work are rare Vintage Silver Gelatin Prints but he also has recent work where he has utilised the possibilities of digitalisation proving his continuous experimentation with both ancient and modern techniques and equipment.

Dawid has been called Sweden’s first post-modern artist and has for over thirty years been making series of photographically based artworks examining the nature of the medium and exploring issues of perception. He began photographing in the late sixties, documenting incongruous moments with a wry sense of humour, until he established his signature style of stark graphic illustration, initiated by the seminal Rost series. His work often balances on a tight rope between the graphic and the photographic and reflects, criticises, and parallels the chequered history and changing status of photography.

A photographic alchemist, intellectual, and scientist with numerous solo and group exhibitions, more than 30 personal photobooks, and a collectors choice with his work in prestigious collections, inter alia The National Museum of Art Oslo, Moderna Museet Stockholm, and the Hasselblad Collections well as a wide range of private collections.

Since the 1970s Dawid has been exhibited at leading art institutions, museums, and galleries in Sweden and internationally, including the Moderna Museet, Millesgårdens art gallery, and Thiel Gallery in Stockholm, Folkwang Museum in Essen, Galerie Priska Pasquer in Cologne. In 2009 Dawid was awarded the Swedish Arts Grants Committee’s Grand Prize for his artistic achievements and significance.

News

Dawid | Opening P90/A3

9 Okt, 2021

Dawid (Björn Dawidsson) is opening the exhibition P90/A3 today at Soon Famous Gallery in Sundbyberg, Sweden.

Work

Exhibition URVAL

The photographic works of Swedish artist Dawid are among the most radical, poetic, and original attempts to redefine photography’s relationship to its image referent. Coming from an social documentary context of the 1970s, student of Christer Strömholm, Dawid’s photography inscribes itself in the ambitious movement of the 1980s to create from photography an emancipated, autonomous image, on an equal footing with painting, drawing and sculpture. With a great economy of means – often using only a light table and a large-format camera – he transcends our physical world of visible and nameable things into a realm of signs, a world of photographic hieroglyphics that in part leaves the function of objects still legible, in part gives them an entirely new meaning.

Enigmatic silhouettes, landscapes, rock formations, outlines of unknown countries on a map, Asian characters – the viewer may discover all these forms in the images of the series Comp. The photographs of the series Rust give more information about the materiality of things. In an ever-increasing digitalization of all areas of life, these images remind us that the obsolete world of physical things, even scrap metal, creates the material for abstract compositions and, as it were, saves them from disappearing. The Kemigrams, in turn, leave the world of objects behind. Of their genesis, the works are the most painterly; at work here are light and chemistry, gesture and chance, surface tension of liquids and absorption behavior of papers. (Excerpt from text by Florian Ebner 2022)

OAS

enlarge

MK / AW

ROST

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Arbetsnamn Skulptur / Working Name Sculpture

CV

Solo Exhibitions (selected)

2022

Urval, Dorothée Nilsson Gallery, Berlin, DE

2020

Enlargements, Dorothée Nilsson Gallery, Berlin, DE

2018

Kirkegaards Antikvariat, Copenhagen, DK

2017

Nationalmuseum på Gripsholm Slott, SE

Rost, Grundemark Nilsson Gallery, Berlin, DE

2016

Bukowskis, Stockholm, SE

2015

Christian Larsen Gallery, Stockholm, SE

Urval, Hishult Konsthall, SE

2014

Ex. Shoot Gallery, Oslo, NO

Rost/Rust, Riga Art Space, Riga, LV

Abecita Konsthall, Borås, SE

2013

MK/AW, Grundemark Nilsson Gallery, Berlin, DE

2012

3D, Landskrona Museum, Landskrona, SE

2011

RRR, Grundemark Nilsson Gallery, Berlin, DE

2010

Sturehof, Stockholm, SE

Nordic Light, Kristiansund, NO

KARS, Galleri Kontrast, Stockholm, SE

FSCC, galleri ikon, Stockholm, SE

Gallery Double Elvis, Stockholm, SE

2009

Hasselblad Center, Göteborg, SE

2008

Liljevalchs Konsthall, Stockholm, SE

Skövde Museum, SE

2006

Degeberga Konsthall, SE

Kabusa Konsthall, SE

2005

Millesgårdens Konsthall, Stockholm, SE

2004

Galleri Skarstedt, Stockholm, SE

2003

Eyubi, Stockholm, SE

2002

Fredriksdals Museum, Helsingborg, SE

Centre Culturel Suois, Paris, FR

2001

Lydmar Hotell, Stockholm, SE

The Pentagram Gallery, London, UK

Galerie Priska Pasquer, Cologne, DE

2000

Galleri Riis, Oslo, NO

Life Gallery, Stockholm, SE

1999

Galerie 213, Paris, FR

1998

Galleri Annexet, Malmö, SE

Galleri UP, Stockholm, SE

Galleri Krister Fahl, Stockholm, SE

1997

Karlshamns Konsthall, SE

1996

Galleri ZEBRA, Kari, FI

Galleri Krister Fahl, Stockholm, SE

1995

Galleri Riis, Oslo, NO

Galleri UP, Stockholm, SE

Fotomässan, Göteborg, SE

1994

Upplandsmuseet, Uppsala, SE

Encontros da Imagem, Braga, PT

Söderhamns Konsthall, Söderhamn, SE

Galleri Krister Fahl, Stockholm, SE

1993

Folkwang Museum, Essen, DE

Galleri Nemo, Kiel, DE

1992

Pieni Agora, Helsinki, FI

Galleri Wallner, Malmö, SE

Bildmuseet, Umeå, SE

Mölndals Konsthall, Mölndal, SE

1991

Lido, Stockholm, SE

Galleri Nordanstad-Skarstedt, Stockholm, SE

Fotografiska Museet i Moderna Museet, Stockholm, SE

1990

Galleri Riis, Oslo, NO

1989

Galleri Wallner, Malmö, SE

Malmö Konsthall, Malmö, SE

Galerie Le Lieu, Lorient, FR

Thielska Galleriet, Stockholm, SE

1987

Galleri Nemo, Kiel, DE

Galleri Finnfoto, Helsinki, FI

1986

Galleri Nordenhake, Malmö, SE

Galleri Olsson, Stockholm, SE

Centre Culturel Su ois, Paris, FR

1985

Upplands Konstmuseum, Uppsala, SE

1984

Galleri BarBar, Stockholm, SE

1983

Fotografiska Museet i Moderna Museet, Stockholm, SE

1982

Malmö Konsthall, Malmö, SE

Galleri Camera Obscura, Stockholm, SE

1980

Galleri Camera Obscura, Stockholm, SE

1987

Fotograficentrum with Håkan Lind, Stockholm, SE

1973

Västerbottens Museum, Umeå, SE

Liljevalchs Konsthall, Stockholm, SE

Group Exhibitions (selected)

2018

STHLM Forever, Fotografiska, Stockholm, SE

In Dialogue with Strömholm, Gallery Dorothée Nilsson, Berlin, DE

2016

Gärning, Konstmuseum Gothenburg, SE

Perceptions, Grundemark Nilsson Gallery, Berlin, DE

AIPAD, Grundemark Nilsson Gallery, New York, US

2015

Pace/MacGill, (together with Sugimoto and Callahan) New York, US

AIPAD, Grundemark Nilsson Gallery, New York, US

Nordic B&W, Shoot Gallery, Oslo, NO

Macrocosmi, Due ponti Lab, Bologna, IT

2014

Konstforum, Norrköping, SE

Industrial World 014, MAST Collection, Bologna, IT

Ett sätt att leva/A way of life, Moderna Museet Stockholm, SE

AIPAD, Grundemark Nilsson Gallery, New York, US

Between Realities. Photography in Sweden 1970–2000, Hasselblad Center, Gothenburg, SE

Ett sätt att leva/A way of life, Moderna Museet Malmö, SE

The Visible, Artipelag, Stockholm, SE

2013

Swedish Photography, Context Art Miami, Florida, US

Swedish Photography, SP-Arte, Sao Paulo, BR

2012

Swedish Photography, Context Art Miami, Florida, US

Swedish Photography, SP-Arte, Sao Paulo, BR

2009

Åter till verkligheten/Reality Revisited, Moderna Museet, Stockholm, SE

Fotografins återkomst-Arbeten från ett intimistiskt decennium, Åmells c/o Konstnärshuset, Stockholm, SE

2003

Christer Strömholms Fotoschule, Willy Brandt Haus, Berlin, DE

Photography in Advertising, Form/Design Center, Malmö, SE

2002

Hommage à Ola Billgren, Galerie Leger, Malmö, SE

2001

Fragment, Brecht-Haus, Berlin, DE

396 Fotografiska förälskelser, Liljevalch Konsthall, Stockholm, SE

Photo Op, The Life Gallery, Stockholm, SE

2000

Nordiskt Foto, Skövde Konsthall, SE

Vandraren, Lunds Konsthall, SE

Noordbrabants Museum, ´s Hertogenbosch, NL 2000

1999

Networking, P-House, Tokyo, JP

Privat samling, Bildmuseet, Umeå, SE

1998

Ur samlingarna, Hasselblad Center, Göteborg, SE

UNDER/EXPOSED, Stockholm Underground, Stockholm, SE

1997

Blickens eko, Helsingborgs Museum, SE

1995

Fotografihistorier, Bildmuseet, Umeå, SE

Deadline, Uppsala Konstmuseum, SE

1994

Forum, Elkida, Stockholm, SE

Stranger Than Paradise, ICP, New york, US (travelling exh.)

PROSPECTS-Contemporary Swedish Photography, (travelling exh.)

1993

PROSPECTS-Contemporary Swedish Photography, Fotografiska Museet & Moderna Museet, Stockholm, SE (travelling exh.)

Spelets Regler, Stockholm, SE

Pod oslona nieba, Centrum Sztuki Wspólczesnej
Zamek Ujazdowski, Warsaw, Poland

De refuserade, Liljevalchs Konsthall, Stockholm, SE

1992

Från Skåne, Malmö Konsthall, Malmö, Sweden 1992

Konkret, Museet for samtidskunst, Oslo, NO

Kunsthalle Rostock, Ostsee-Biennale 1992, DE

Elkida, D’Arte Galleria, Helsinki, FI

1991

Zehn jahre junge kunst in Malmö, Kampnagelfabrik, Hamburg, DE

Södertälje Konsthall, Yttre, SE

Konst-Fotografi, Hasselblad Center, Gothenburg, SE (travelling exh.)

Lika med, Moderna Museet, Stockholm, SE (travelling exh.)

1990

Spegling, Moderna Museet, Stockholm, SE(travelling exh.)

Charlottenborg, Nordic, Copenhagen, DK

1987

Nordic Artistic Photography – a viewpoint, Brandts Klaedefabrik Museum, Odense, DK (travelling exh.)

Fred, Louisiana, Humlebaek, DK

1986

Conversions, Germans van Eck Gallery, New York, US

1985

Nordic Art Photography, Brandts Klaedefabrik Museum, Odeise, DK

1984

Het stilleven in de fotografie, Rotterdamse Kunststichting, NL

Valokuva Taiteena, Sveaborg, Helsinki, FI

1982

The Frozen Image, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, US (travelling exh.)

1981

Sju svenska fotografer, Konsthallen, Pori, FI

Le Moderna museet de Stockholm a Bruxelles, Palais des Beaux-Arts, Bruxelles, BE

Swedish Photographers, Photographers Gallery, GB

1975

Vargen, Moderna Museet, Stockholm, SE

Publications

Välstånd, Photographs and poetry from the 70’s, Bokförlaget Boris, Stockholm 2018

MEN, Nationalmuseum Förlag, Stockholm 2017

This is a Photograph, Art and Theory Publishing, Sweden 2015

Sugimoto. Dawid. Callahan, Steidl Verlag, Germany 2015

KARS, DOG Förlag, Sweden 2011

JOBB/WORK, DOG Förlag, Sweden 2010

Verkligen, Arena Förlag, Sweden 2009

HYBRIS, Liljevalchs Konsthall, Sweden 2008

FSCC, Arkitektkopia,Sweden 2008

Merit, DOG Förlag, Sweden 2006

Beautiful Frames, Steidl Verlag, Germany 2001

Dappendix, ROLF Förlag, Sweden 1997

Daffisher, ROLF Förlag, Sweden 1995

M+M, Volkwang Museum, Germany 1993

ROST, DOG Förlag/Moderna Museet, Sweden 1983

Awards, Grants and Residencies

Bildkonstnärsfondens Stora Stipendium, Sweden 2004

Nominated for The Citigroup Private Bank Photography Prize 2002, England 2001

Konstnärsnämnden, Stockholm, Sweden 1994

Nominated for the ICP Infinity Award, New york, USA 1992

Edstrandska Stiftelsen, Malmö, Sweden 1991

Nocturne Kulturpris, Stockholm 1988

Sveriges Författarfond 1988

Konstnärsnämnden, Stockholm 1982

Sveriges Författarfond, Stockholm 1980

Konstnärsnämnden, Stockholm 1979

Collections (selected)

Absolut Art Collection

Bank of Luxembourg, LU

Bonnier Collection, Stockholm, SE

Camera Obscura Collection, Stockholm, SE

Centre for Creative Photography in Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA

Centro Cultural Arte Contemporaneo, Mexico City, MX

Dorint Collection, Brussels, BE

Erling Neby Collection, Oslo, NO

Folkwang Museum, Essen, DE

Göteborgs konstmuseum, Götenborg, SE

Helsingborgs museum, SE

Kalmar konstmuseum, SE

Kristiansands museum, NO

Landskrona museum, Landskrona, SE

Lasse Åberg Collection, SE

Malmö Museum, Malmö, SE

Manfred Heiting Collection, DE

Moderna Museet, Stockholm, SE

Mölndals konsthall, SE

Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, SE

Norrköping konstmuseum, Norrköping, SE

Nyky taiteen museo, Helsinki, FI

Rogaland Kunstmuseum, Stavanger, NO

Statens Konstråd, Stockholm, SE

Statens Konstråd, Malmö, SE

Statens porträttsamling, SE

Strawberry Art, Oslo, SE

The Hasselblad Collection, Göteborg, SE

Upplands Konstmuseum, Uppsala, SE

Örebro Läns Landsting, SE

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Dorothée Nilsson Gallery

Artists

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Tel: +49 170 5470707
E-Mail: gallery@dorotheenilsson.com

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