Swedish artist Hilma af Klint was born in Karlberg Palace in Solna, to the North of Stockholm, Sweden on 26th October 1862 and died on 21st October 1944 in Danderyd, Sweden. Today art critics claim that Hilma af Klint should be recognized as Sweden’s most important artist, comparable to Edvard Munch for Norway. Hilma af Klint has now been credited as the pioneer of abstract art. A considerable body of her abstract artwork was created before Wassily Kandinsky started to make abstract paintings.

In search of a spiritual dimension, Hilma’s work is full of symbols reflecting her connection with nature and with the spiritual realm, inspired by both Eastern and Western ideologies. Hilma was a contemporary of theosophist Rudolf Steiner, whom she knew well and with whom she shared a spiritual connection. Theosophy is rooted in Indian philosophy, hence its holistic view. In the year 1906 alone, Hilma af Klint created 193 abstract artworks, many of them huge in size, most of them in bright colors, all of them embodying her spirit. For her the color blue represents female, the color yellow male, the color green the unison of both, but she also uses black and white contrasts in search for balance.

The legend goes that Hilma af Klint chose to keep her work secret: it was not to be shown until 20 years after her death. She left detailed notes and documents on how she wanted it displayed. Research has shown, however, that during her lifetime she exhibited her work in London.

The question may be asked why she was not credited as the first abstract artist in Western art. Was it because art history is written by white men about white men? Or did she really opt to create artwork for the future?

Hilma af Klint’s art has been referred to as ‘Paintings for the Future’. Until 20 years after her death, Hilma’s work remained hidden. Since its disclosure it has been exhibited around the world at places like the Guggenheim, MoMa, Centre Pompidou, the Venice Biennial, Pinacoteca de Estado the Sao Paulo and more.

2020 is the right moment to pay tribute and to invite Hilma to our time. I feel privileged to do that. As a female artist sharing a holistic view and connection with Asia, and sharing love for strong colorful work, I have created two oil paintings to enter into dialogue with Hilma af Klint. To transmit powerful energy reminiscent of Hilma, I have used circular shapes in these works, just as she used to do.