Open Forms

In 2026, the Swedish Institute offers an unprecedented dialogue between an abstract art pioneer and contemporary artists. The exhibition highlights the work of Olle Bærtling (1911-1981), a major figure in Nordic abstract art, whose theory of “open form” has influenced generations of artists. Bærtling, known for his geometric compositions based on angles and diagonals, is thus placed at the heart of an exploration of abstraction. The exhibition presents nearly thirty years of his work in dialogue with seven international artists – Cécile Bart, Rana Begum, Ulla von Brandenburg, Jacob Dahlgren, Bernd Ribbeck, Bella Rune and Brooklin A. Soumahoro – who are renewing geometric abstract art. This exhibition is a unique opportunity to understand the evolution of abstraction and its current relevance. It is accessible for free from February 20 to July 19, 2026.