Tobias Birgersson

Artist statement:

”Art and craft start with tradition and material. They can be mined by the contemporary maker to answer why, what, how and for whom. 

Material and craft used to be so important to me and to my identity. Now I tend to see the material and level of craft mastery as different colours in my box of crayons. It is both completely unimportant and so important at the same time.”

 

Name of art work:

Toolness of Things

 

Thoughts about the art work:

When I can recognize a hint of a symbolic purpose in my objects, where no specific practical use can be discerned, this is when they become loaded with a personality and begin to live. The performative function is then enhanced by the context I choose to place them in e. g. gently wrapped in an old suitcase or placed on an altarlike pedestal. By being liberated from the practical function, an object attains a new kind of value and exudes the force of a tool in the fourth dimension.

 

Describe the process; who, what, why, where, when, how and with what help:

How makers deal with process is up to them, as long as they do it. If all of the experimentation goes on in the realm of ideas, it is very probable that when the concept finally enters the material world it will be seriously flawed.

 

How to deal with the pure joy of making? Is it ever possible or okay that this might be enough for the maker, and the viewer is left to fill the object with content and context? Or would this just end up being a case of pareidolia, the mind perceiving a pattern where it doesn’t exist?

 

Material and craft used to be so important to me and to my identity. Now I tend to see the material and level of craft mastery as different colors in my box of crayons. It is both completely unimportant and so important at the same time.

 

Art, and probably especially craft, have a narcissistic core but loving what you do can be a powerful driving force. On the other hand, if you lack the ability to take a step back and reflect on what you have done, then you are in trouble.

 

About the artist – BIO or short version of Curriculum Vitae:

Tobias works as a free Artist with Arts and craft, Design and Art. He has been working with teaching at University level since 2007 for Konstfack, Ädellab and as an Associate Professor for The University of Gothenburg HDK, Valand, Campus Steneby since 2016. Tobiaas is a founding member of Gallery LOD. 

 

Tobias Birgersson grew up in Sweden and holds a Master of Fine Arts, specialization in Metal, from Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design, Stockholm. He is still based in Sweden and exhibits Internationally as well as in his home country.  

Tobias work is represented at the Swedish National Gallery as well as in private collections.  

The Collaboration

This webpage is the result of collaboration between two leading international university programs in metal art. A selection of the best BfA and MfA exam work will be presented every year.

HCA Hereford

Delyth Done
Hereford College of Arts
College Road Campus
Hereford
HR1 1EB
Website Link

HDK Valand

Professor Heiner Zimmermann
Hemslöjdsvägen 1
666 95 Dals Långed
+46 768898186

Website Link

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