MATS BERGQUIST
Born 1960, Stockholm, Sweden
Mats Bergquist in the gallery.
Image courtesy of Galleri Weinberger Schandorff.
Mats Bergquist, a Swedish artist who splits his time between Italy and Sweden, is a dedicated practitioner of monochrome and minimalistic art, drawing influence from the 'arte povera' movement. His reductive approach strips away excess to focus on the essential, evoking a profound sense of stillness and contemplation. Bergquist's work is characterized by its understated simplicity, crafted using Northern craftsmanship and Mediterranean cultural influences, and frequently incorporates encaustic and pear wood. These elements, rooted in tradition, are transformed into contemporary abstract pieces that blend the timeless with the modern.
Bergquist’s monochrome works, often created with muted tones of chalk, encaustic wax, and silver leaf, exude a deep silence and calm. His use of minimal color, texture, and material aligns with the principles of reductive art, where the removal of superfluous details allows for a focus on form, space, and the essence of the artwork itself. The materials—pear wood as a foundational element—reflect his connection to the natural world, while the modern techniques infuse his works with a sense of timelessness and quiet transcendence. This creates an interplay between old-world iconography and contemporary minimalist abstraction, resulting in pieces that feel both ancient and distinctly modern.
Bergquist frequently works in polyptych format, arranging individual panels into larger, cohesive compositions that expand beyond traditional singular artworks. His polyptychs create a rhythm of repeated forms and textures that invite the viewer to contemplate each panel both individually and as part of a greater whole. This fragmentation and recombination of elements offer a meditative experience, echoing the pauses and silences found in music—an apt metaphor for Bergquist’s recurring exploration of space and emptiness.
Bergquist seeks to push the boundaries of installation by integrating his minimalistic and abstract pieces into the walls, floor, and ceiling, encouraging viewers to engage with his work in a holistic and spatial way. He wants his works to harmonize with the surrounding environment, making the given exhibition space an extension of the artwork itself. This immersive experience invites viewers into a meditative atmosphere where art, space, and silence converge seamlessly.
Bergquist’s exploration of the monochrome aesthetic is not just a reduction of colour but an exploration of purity, depth, and spirituality. His works suggest a deeper inquiry into the nature of existence, inviting reflections on the balance between presence and absence, sound and silence, as captured in the title of one of his former exhibition 'Rest'. Here, the concept of rest operates on multiple levels—whether as a pause between moments, a residual element left behind, or the enduring mystery that transcends understanding. His work echoes the philosophical ideas of reductionism, where what remains after the removal of excess can evoke greater clarity and insight.
Bergquist’s art, deeply influenced by minimalist ideals, transforms the viewer’s perception of space and material, offering a visual experience that is both reductive and expansive, quiet yet resonant with the value of meaning.
For more info, please visit Mats Bergquist in cyberspace
artfacts.net/artist/mats-bergquist
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