Siri Derkert

Siri Derkert is one of Sweden’s most prominent artists. Her oeuvre spans from early cubism to monumental works for public spaces. In this generous retrospective, Moderna Museet presents the entire compass of Siri Derkert’s art and gives insights into her personal life and political commitment to feminism, environmentalism and peace, issues that are as relevant today as they were then, for her generation.

Siri Derkert (1888–1973) was a major presence in 20th century Sweden, and several decades have passed since her artistic production was shown on a larger scale. The first major retrospective of a living artist at Moderna Museet took place in 1960 and featured Siri Derkert, who was 72 at the time. She was also nominated to represent Sweden in 1962 at the newly inaugurated Nordic Pavilion at la Biennale di Venezia. Now, half a century later, Moderna Museet presents a generous retrospective that includes her early works, her cubist paintings, fashion drawings from the 1910s, profound child portraits and life studies, drawings and later works in concrete, strip iron and clay. Derkert’s early cubist paintings belong to international modernism, while her later work for the Östermalmstorg underground station (1965) in Stockholm marked a radical change in the notion of public embellishment.

“Her background in the Parisian avant-garde of the 1910s, her continuous artistic work spanning two world wars, and her impact on political and artistic modernity in Sweden in the 1960s, make her a unique 20th century figure. She has also become something of a legend or icon. Derkert was a popular and regular guest in the early days of TV, and occurred frequently in the press and on radio. She was a major public policy maker and a strong voice in political debates,” says Annika Öhrner, curator of the exhibition.

Siri Derkert’s fierce commitment to the causes of feminism, peace and environmentalism is reflected in many of her works and in what she said and wrote, making her one of Sweden’s most well-known and popular artists. This exhibition also documents the personal side of Siri Derkert, with photographs, films and recordings from radio broadcasts and interviews.

A comprehensive and richly illustrated catalogue will be published in conjunction with the exhibition, with recent essays by art historians on Siri Derkert’s cubist art, her political notes and her art for public spaces. Moreover, the Swedish National Library’s research project on Siri Derkert’s archives will be publishing an anthology, Att alltid göra och tänka det olika. Siri Derkert i 1900-talet (To Always Do and Think the Different. Siri Derkert in the 20th Century) in June. The Library will also present a display and online exhibition featuring documents from the archive.

Siri Derkert
Kurator: Annika Öhrner