Artist Kerstin Bergman created the Vasaloppet themes for 2017
The press conference this Thursday at Café Zorn in Mora saw the unveiling of the winning artworks that will be the official Vasaloppet theme motifs of 2017. The jury selected Kerstin Bergman's ”Äntligen i mål” (Finally the finish) and ”Att vilja och våga” (To want and dare).
”I want to convey the joy of having achieved something. Daring to take that leap, getting on the starting line and completing a race, is so admirable to me,” says Kerstin Bergman.
For the third year in a row, artists from all over Sweden were invited to compete for the chance to have their designs leave a unique mark on the Vasaloppet summer and winter events. This year the jury chose between four artists’ submissions and they selected Kerstin Bergman with the motivation:
”With a naïve and uncontrived art style, Kerstin Bergman creates artworks that go straight to the heart. Her work is exciting and conveys a playfulness that we want to highlight side by side with the seriousness of competition.”
The annual posters with Vasaloppet motifs are a tradition stretching back to 1935. These posters are an important symbol for Vasaloppet and, over the years, they have become collectables. Historically, the motifs have been developed in different ways but today Swedish artists are invited to compete for the assignment. The 2015 motifs were by Fredrik Lindqvist and the 2016 motifs by Lisbeth Boholm. When Kerstin Bergman was asked to submit a proposal for the 2017 edition she was surprised.
”I thought ‘am I able to do this?’ At the same time it felt very special and I just couldn’t say no. Of course when I found out I’d been selected I was very happy.”
Kerstin Bergman’s motif will now decorate the posters and the diplomas for the about 90,000 participants in Vasaloppet’s summer and winter events, and Vasaloppet’s victors in the men’s and women’s class will also each be awarded a print from a limited run of numbered copies, which will also be available for sale.
”I think it’s really great that Vasaloppet has taken this initiative to include art. It is fantastic to get this exposure and to reach a wide new audience. I hope my themes will have an impact and that the participants will like them,” says Kerstin Bergman.
About Kerstin Bergman
Kerstin Bergman lives in the village of Hovänget in Gagnef. She is originally a textile artist and has also done much work with graphics. Today she mixes different techniques and the Vasaloppet designs are made with a collage approach. She has participated in textile and graphic exhibitions both abroad and in Sweden and, among other places, she is represented at the National Museum in Stockholm. Read more at http://kerstinbergman.se
