Nygård's Karin Bengtsson

The fusion of Fiction and Reality through Scenographic Photography

Karin Bengtsson Nygård's artistry is imbued with a unique fusion of theatre, documentary photography and art. With a background in scenography and studies in both theater and documentary photography, she weaves together theatrical and photographic elements, where fiction and reality merge.

For Karin, the use of "staging" in photography is a way of intensifying the moment, capturing the experience of what has happened rather than what is going on. Her photographic works, such as "A lonely person in a room or landscape", are characterized by an emotional charge. The identity of the people, the location and the nature of the events remain enigmatic, leaving the viewer in an atmosphere of contemplation and emotional resonance.

What characterizes Karin Bengtsson Nygård's work is the creation of "missed scenes" – carefully constructed situations where the artist takes responsibility for direction, design, casting, costumes, props and above all lighting. However, the result is not an abundance of information; rather, a remoteness is created that leads the viewer to a borderland between still life and a still from a film. Karin captures a state of mind that becomes clear through the lens of the camera, and the viewer is encouraged to reflect on the subtle interplay between fiction and reality in her artistic creations.

TRAINING

MFA, University of Art and Design (Aalto University), Helsinki, Finland
BFA, University of Art and Design (Aalto University), Helsinki, Finland
Universität Essen (Folkwang Schule), Essen, Germany
Nordens Fotoskola, Biskops-Arnö, Sweden

EXHIBITIONS SELECTION

Krapperup art gallery, Sweden
Märsta Art Gallery, Märsta, Sweden
Gallery Thomas Wallner, Simrishamn, Sweden
Magazine, Falun
Domeij Gallery, Stockholm, Sweden
Fotografiska, Stockholm, Sweden
Höganäs Museum and Art Hall, Höganäs, Sweden
Art Forum Norrköping, Norrköping, Sweden
Vargåkra Farm Konsthall, Hammenhög, Sweden
Eskilstuna Art Museum, Eskilstuna, Sweden
Alingsås Art Gallery, Alingsås, Sweden
Gallery Ping Pong, Malmö, Sweden
Mora cultural center, Mora, Sweden
Art Gallery, Stockholm, Sweden
Kunsthalle Helsinki – Studio, Helsinki, Finland
Stockholm photo festival, Sweden
Gallery Hjärnstorm, Stockholm, Sweden
Taidehallin Klubi, Kunsthalle Helsinki, Finland
Photographic Gallery Hippolyte, Helsinki, Finland

COLLECTION EXHIBITION SELECTION

Gallery Thomas Wallner, Simrishamn, Sweden
Art in the Diocese of Västerås, Sweden
Sven-Harry's Art Museum, Stockholm, Sweden
Motala Art Gallery, Motala, Sweden
Värmlands Museum, Karlstad, Sweden
The work, Avesta, Sweden
Malmö Art Museum, Sweden
Kulturhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
Liljevalch Art Gallery, Stockholm, Sweden
Skepparholmen in co-operation with CFF, Stockholm, Sweden
Museum for Fotokunst Brandts Klædefabrik, Odense, Denmark
VIDA Art Museum, Halltorp, Sweden
Gallery Hjärnstorm, Stockholm, Sweden
The Art Fair represented by Gallery Hjärnstorm (Sweden), Sollentuna, Sweden
Dalarnas Museum, Falun, Sweden
Brother Hjorth's House, Uppsala, Sweden
Hasselblad Center, Gothenburg, Sweden
Stockholm Art Fair represented by Gallery TAIK (Finland), Stockholm, Sweden
Kunsthalle Helsinki, Finland
The Finnish Museum of Photography, Helsinki, Finland
Cable Factory, Helsinki and Hämeenlinna Arts Centre, Finland
KIASMA, Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki, Finland
Photographic Gallery Hippolyte, Helsinki, Finland

OTHER

Her work has been shown at Fotografiska, Stockholm, Malmö Art Museum and Eskilstuna Art Museum, Sweden among many others. She has received several grants and was awarded "Jury's Choice" in 2010; The best work in show for her work "Hjortrum" at Vårsalongen, Liljevalchs Konsthall (Liljevalchs Art Gallery), Stockholm. Her work is represented in the collections of Malmö Art Museum, Stockholm Art and the Norwegian Arts Council. She lives and works in Höganäs, southern Sweden.

AWARDS

The Choice of the Jury, the best work in show, Vårsalongen 2010,
Liljevalchs Konsthall (Liljevalchs Art Gallery), Stockholm, Sweden.
VinUnic's grant for young promising artist, Sweden.
Nominated to Becker's artist scholarship 2005, Sweden.