Torsten Andersson. Ny tyngdkraft, ny epok

About

Torsten Andersson quickly became known for his large scale, often roughly applied, paintings of three-dimensional forms, frequently incorporating text/titles on the surface. Art critic Magnus Bons states "Torsten Andersson’s paintings are neither abstract nor figurative, but in fact both at the same time." In many of his works Andersson explored the relationship between colour, form and language - perhaps three tenets that define modern painting - compounding all three literally onto the surface at one time as: paint, sculpture, text. Throughout his career Andersson returned constantly to the question of whether or not painting can be seen as language.

At the age of 34 Andersson was made professor at the Swedish Art Academy in 1960, a position he left in 1966. During his lifetime Andersson was recognised internationally and participated in solo and group exhibitions in many important venues including Moderna Museet, Stockholm (2006, 1986), Zeno X Gallery, Antwerp (2003), Kunstmuseum Bonn, Bonn (1999), Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebæk (1997), Malmö Konstmuseum, Malmö (1995), São Paulo Biennial, São Paulo (1983, 1959), Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris (1981), Venice Biennale (1964). In 2008 he won first prize in the prestigious Carnegie Art Award which travelled widely as an exhibition.