The major exhibition of the autumn at Stenersen presents over 100 works from the collection of Norwegian art collector Erling Neby.
For more than 50 years, he has collected art that emphasizes a geometric-abstract visual language, often referred to as concrete art.
Here, you'll encounter pioneering artists like Victor Vasarely, Auguste Herbin, Carmen Herrera, and Josef Albers, Norwegians Aase Texmon Rygh and Gunnar S. Gundersen, and Swedish artist Olle Bærtling.
Foto: Dag Fosse / Kode
The exhibition is on display at Stenersen until 25 February.
Foto: Dag Fosse / Kode
Foto: Dag Fosse / Kode
Concrete art
For over 50 years, Erling Neby has focused his collection on geometric and concrete art.
The term "concrete art" was introduced by Dutch artist Theo van Doesburg in 1930 to describe art that is entirely based on its own visual elements, such as color, line, and flatness.
The concrete artwork shouldn't reference anything beyond itself but create an independent "concrete" reality.
Through important art movements, intermediaries, and international influences, concretism played a crucial role in 20th-century art history.
About the collection
Erling Neby's art collection spans across European, American, and Nordic art.
With a primary focus on works from the post-war years, it includes art historical figures like Victor Vasarely, Max Bill, Auguste Herbin, Josef Albers, Aase Texmon Rygh, and Olle Bærtling, as well as new generations of artists working within a geometric-abstract visual language.
Through a personal selection, the collection offers a complex picture of the positions, heritage, and impact of concrete art.
Since the early 1990s, Erling Neby's collection has been featured in numerous exhibitions both in and outside Norway.
Parts of the collection were long deposited at the Museum of Contemporary Art (now the National Museum), and a larger deposit is currently managed by the Henie Onstad Art Center.
Interview with art collector Erling Neby.
If you are watching on YouTube, remember to turn on subtitles, and choose to directly translate the subtitles to your language.
Richard Mortensen: Coeur du Carré (1977). Olje på lerret. © Richard Mortensen/BONO. Fra Erling Nebys samling.
Auguste Herbin: Blanc (1947). Olje på lerret. ©Auguste Herbin/BONO Fra Erling Nebys samling.
Works from The Erling Neby Collection.
Aase Texmon Rygh: Volta (1975). Bronse. © Aase Texmon Rygh/BONO. Fra Erling Nebys samling.
Lars G. Nordström, Sekvens, 1965-90. bemalt stål.
About the exhibition
The exhibition showcases a selection of over 100 works, mainly paintings, but also sculptures, drawings, and graphics.
The curators for the exhibition are Karin Hellandsjø and Frode Sandvik.
The exhibition is part of a series of projects at Kode in 2023–24 under the theme "Collectors."
The museum here shines a light on historically significant collectors and donors, as well as contemporary figures who have been dedicated to making their collections publicly accessible.
Josef Albers: Homage to the Square: Gay (1956). Olje på masonitt. ©The Josef and Anni Albers Foundation / BONO. Fra Erling Nebys samling.
Works from The Erling Neby Collection.
Burgoyne Diller, First Theme No. 120, 1962. Olje på lerret. ©Estate of Burgoyne Diller / VAGA, NY / BONO. Fra Erling Nebys samling.
Victor Vasarely, Vega 222, 1969-70. Akryl på lerret. ©Victor Vasarely/BONO
Aurélie Nemours, Structure de Silence No. XIX, 1984. © Aurelie Nemours/BONO
Josef Albers: Homage to the Square: Grisaille and Ground (1961). Olje på masonitt. © The Josef and Anni Albers Foundation / BONO. Fra Erling Nebys samling.
Olle Bærtling, IRGA, 1958. Olje på lerret.
Useful to know
The exhibition is displayed at Stenersen from October 6th to February 25th.
