Erland Cullberg’s artistic legacy, a captivating blend of expressionism and deeply personal narrative, is currently on display at the Anna Bohman Gallery in Stockholm. The exhibition, curated in collaboration with the artist’s brother, art historian Staffan Cullberg, focuses on Cullberg’s distinctive figures, which populate his richly layered canvases and offer a glimpse into the artist’s inner world. These figures, often emerging from deep, shadowy backgrounds, possess a haunting presence, simultaneously alluring and unsettling. Their expressive, yet often incomplete forms, lacking hands and feet, contribute to their enigmatic nature, inviting viewers to delve into the psychological landscape of Cullberg’s artistic vision. The exhibition features fifteen paintings, spanning Cullberg’s six-decade career, demonstrating the enduring power and relevance of his work, especially in a contemporary art scene where expressionism is experiencing a resurgence.
Cullberg’s artistic process, reminiscent of Paleolithic cave painters coaxing images from stone, involved a meticulous layering of oil paints, creating a depth and texture that serves as the backdrop for his emerging figures. These figures, often appearing as apparitions or fragments of beings, emerge from the depths of the canvas, their forms gradually taking shape from the interplay of light and shadow. The use of vibrant, often contrasting colors further enhances their ethereal quality, creating a visual symphony that resonates with the viewer on a visceral level. His masterful use of color, employing juxtapositions like terracotta against emerald green, cadmium yellow against sky blue, and white on coal black, adds a dynamic tension to the canvases, further emphasizing the emotional weight of the figures they depict.
The exhibition’s centerpiece, ”The Messenger,” sets the tone for the show, introducing viewers to Cullberg’s signature style. The messenger, with a fiery red face, pale yellow eyes, green chin, and a pink stroke resembling a stranglehold around the neck, emerges from the depths of the canvas, embodying the emotional intensity inherent in Cullberg’s work. This figure, like many others in Cullberg’s oeuvre, acts as a conduit for a range of emotions – sorrow, anger, and profound intimacy – while also showcasing the intrinsic power and resilience of painting itself. The bold use of color, particularly red, symbolic of the strength of curses, and yellow, representing joy, adds another layer of meaning to the work, further enriching the viewer’s experience.
The figures in Cullberg’s paintings are not mere representations; they are extensions of the artist’s own psyche, reflecting his inner struggles, anxieties, and hopes. They are often described as companions, both haunting and comforting, mischievous and menacing. They embody various facets of the artist’s personality and experiences, forming a continuous narrative that unfolds across his body of work. The chronology of the paintings is less important than the signature, the mark of the artist who breathed life into these spectral figures. From Christ-like figures bearing the weight of suffering, as seen in ”Rural Presidium,” to the enigmatic ”Schoolboy” with a large yellow-green paint stroke on his head, possibly symbolizing the burden of creativity, these figures invite interpretation and introspection.
The exhibition offers a comprehensive overview of Cullberg’s artistic evolution, highlighting influences ranging from Ernst Josephson’s ”The Water Sprite” and Emil Nolde’s expressionism to Orthodox icon painting. While these influences are discernible, Cullberg’s unique voice shines through, creating a distinct and recognizable style. His work transcends mere imitation, forging a new path in the realm of expressionism, infused with personal symbolism and psychological depth. The catalog accompanying the exhibition expands upon the displayed works, showcasing the breadth of Cullberg’s artistic exploration, including figures like the stern bishop, the deceptive eyewitness, and the enchanting girl in the darkness.
Cullberg’s artistic philosophy is perhaps best encapsulated by his own words: ”If you look at me and my paintings, it’s like a rock-hard spiritual being that I try to bring forth in color, and which sometimes, sometimes can explode and become song.” This quote encapsulates the transformative power of his art, where color becomes a vehicle for expressing profound emotions and experiences. It highlights the inherent tension between the tangible medium of paint and the intangible realm of the spirit, a tension that Cullberg masterfully navigates in his work. The exhibition at the Anna Bohman Gallery provides a unique opportunity to experience this transformative power firsthand, to delve into the richly layered world of Erland Cullberg’s artistic vision, and to witness the enduring legacy of a master of expressionism.
