Pontus Djanaieff "Happy to be here"

Characters from childhood comic books, new age symbols and contemporary lifestyle markers generate new links between signs and images. In the form of wall-mounted reliefs, rugs, cushions, caps, t-shirts, hoodies, embroidered patches and art on fabric, we take part in the artist's vision flowing out of the Nordic Gallery. In Djanaieff's work, only the motifs are borrowed from the sphere of mass production, everything else is carefully made by hand. 30 piccolos are created by plastic casts of clay moulds that are then painted on the back. Each piccolo is a unique piece inspired by pinball machines, church glass and neon signs. The artisanal technique gives the reliefs an analogue look that creates an interesting tension between subject and execution. Like Duchamp's ready-made, but in reverse.

Collage and appropriation have been used extensively throughout art history since the early 20th century, but are perhaps most commonly associated with genres such as pop art and postmodernism. In today's connected world, mediums such as Instagram and TikTok represent the ultimate fragmentation where the unplanned flow of images gives rise to unexpected encounters and new realities. By using existing images, the focus is on how everything we see in art has a historical predecessor; the distinction between copy and original has lost relevance. Like an archaeologist of popular culture, Djanaieff uncovers multiple layers of images in contemporary consumer culture, where motifs and media blend seamlessly into each other. With a heterogeneous iconography from advertising, fashion and comics, the artist's creative outlet is always executed with great integrity, a reaction to the abundance of images we are bombarded with daily, an unprecedented quantity of visual impressions.

Pontus Djanaieff (1967-) is based in Stockholm and trained at Beckmans College of Design. Djanaieff's practice moves between different platforms in art, design, interiors and entertainment.

The exhibition is on display at Nordiska Galleriet until 18 January 2021.