The majority of the Foundation’s board position on exhibition activities

Recently, there has been a public debate regarding central issues surrounding the work of the Hilma af Klint Foundation. In light of the chairman’s intention to stop the exhibition activities, the other members of the board wish to clarify the following three questions:

  1. Who should have access to Hilma af Klint’s art?

The majority of the Foundation’s board believes that Hilma af Klint’s art should be accessible to both the public and researchers. However, there have been discussions regarding the interpretation of the Foundation’s statutes, which state that the art should be available to “those seeking spiritual knowledge” or those who can contribute to “fulfilling the mission” intended by Hilma af Klint’s “spiritual mentor.” The board has, for several years, allowed this matter to be investigated by experts and has concluded that the text must be interpreted in a more contemporary context. The board has the final say on the interpretation of the statutes and therefore adheres to this investigation and is working to make the work available to those who wish to see it and those who seek knowledge about Hilma af Klint’s art, regardless of religion or belief – just as previous boards have done before us over the years. We believe this is both a national and international matter.

  1. Is it allowed for the foundation to sell artworks?

According to the Foundation’s statutes, the sale of certain artworks is allowed to finance the preservation of the rest of the collection. However, this must be done under controlled and professional conditions.

  1. Are there plans to build a museum?

Currently, there is no active plan to build a museum for Hilma af Klint’s works. However, the board has decided to hire an external and neutral investigator to explore the possibility of establishing such a museum, including questions about where it could be built, by whom, and how it should be financed. This work has not yet been initiated.

Ongoing activities and public interest
Despite the ongoing debate, the Foundation continues its work as usual. Hilma af Klint’s works are currently being shown in several international exhibitions, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors worldwide.

The majority of the Board of the Hilma af Klint Foundation is committed to managing and preserving Hilma af Klint’s artistic legacy in a way that honors the founder’s intentions and makes her work accessible to both present and future generations.

Ulf Wagner
Katarina de Voto
Juhani Selvani
Anders Kumlander

* The current interpretation of
the statutes:

Gunnar Nord’s interpretation of the statutes_2019