Rune Hagberg
1970s
Mixed media, painted wooden artist-made frame
44 1/2″ high x 32 3/4″ wide x 5″ deep

Rune Hagberg (1924-2015) was at the forefront of a Swedish art movement called Spontanism, a form of action painting, which in Hagberg’s case was deeply influenced by the artist’s study of Zen Buddhism. His paintings contain a meditative fluidity and a kind of energetic grace reminiscent of Eastern calligraphy. On the other hand, his sculptural works explore the qualities of mystery and restraint.

To create his sculptures, such as this one, he would methodically coil and fold bits of paper and bind them with string, concealing messages within.

Signed. In a white artist-made frame.