Generation Raises Generation

Sculpture 'Generation Raises Generation'. at Gammel Strand, Nybrogade, Frederiksholms Kanal, Copenhagen. Svend Wiig Hansen [Danish Expressionist Painter, 1922-1997] 2008 © All rights reserved. (BILD1574) Date: 2000 (1997), Type: Figure group, Materials: Bronze, Measurements: Height c. 500 cm. Inscription: At the back edge left of the bronze base: "SVEND WIIG HANSEN 1992-1997 ''SLÆGT LØFTER SLÆGT /OPSAT ÅR 2000 TIL MINDE OM KULTURMINISTER JULIUS BOMHOLT" (Svend Wiig Hansen 1992-1997 ''Generation Raises Generation'' Eerected in 2000 in memory of Julius Bomholt, Minister of Culture) - Owner: Copenhagen Municipality.

 Svend Wiig Hansen’s powerful sculptures occupy a special place in Danish art history. Already in 1953 the artist became widely known for the sculpture ’Mother Earth’, whose voluptuous shapes and exposed sex caused a scandal when they were first revealed outside Århus City Hall. Since then Wiig Hansen’s titanic bodies have entered numerous museum collections and public spaces, latest on Gl. Strand in Copenhagen. (This FOTO).

Svend Wiig Hansen began his artistic career during the post-war era. The horrible lessons learnt strike a note of fear and powerlessness in his works. 

With paintings like Mother Earth, 1953, The Searchers, 1955, and The Human Ride, 1959, his art is forcefully expressive, suspended between life and death.

It is, however, interesting that even though Svend Wiig Hansen presents the horrors of the world, one still senses a humanistic and constructive agenda, a certain hope. His creativity is in itself life-affirming.

 LINK:

Mennesket ved havet/Man meets the sea - Esbjerg, Denmark ...

27;Bienal Internacional de São Paulo=Do Muralismo Mexicano ao Grupo Cobra em Wiig Hansen.

Danske kunstnerbiografier(Danish art biography)-Svend Wiig Hansen - (Danish w. 4 link)

 Awarded: Guggenheim International Award, New York 1955. The Eckersberg Medal 1968 (DK). Honourble member of Danish Academy 1994 (DK). The Silvermedal and Honour title, Maestro, Biennale, São Paulo 1996. - Significant exhibitions: The Danish House, Paris. Biennalen, Venezia 1954 og 1964. Guggenheim International Award, New York 1960. Biennalen, Sao Paulo. Retrospektiv, Louisiana 1972 (DK). Fondation Calouste Gulbenkian, Lissabon 1978. Retrospektiv, Kobberstiksamlingen 1980 (DK). Munch-Museet, Oslo 1982 (N). Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek 1982 (DK).