Artist Lisbeth Boholm painted the two Vasaloppet themes for 2016
Last year, Vasaloppet instituted a new tradition where Swedish artists are invited to compete to create the annual Vasaloppet motifs. During this Thursday's press preview at the Zorn Museum in Mora, Lisbeth Boholm's two winning artworks were unveiled as the official theme motifs for Vasaloppet's winter and summer events in 2016.
The annual posters with Vasaloppet motifs have been a tradition stretching back to 1935. These posters are an important symbol for the well-loved events and, over the years, they have become collectables. Historically, the motifs have been developed in different ways, year to year, but now Swedish artists are invited to compete for the assignment. This past year’s Vasaloppet themes were created by artist Fredrik Lindqvist.
Out of the four invited artists’ submissions, the 2016 Vasaloppet jury chose Lisbeth Boholm’s two themes ”Winter Tracks” and ”Summer Motion”. These works of art were unveiled Thursday afternoon in Café Zorn at the Zorn Museum in Mora, and they will now set their mark the Vasaloppet winter and summer events of 2016.
The jury said: ”In her paintings, Lisbeth Boholm depicts both Vasaloppet’s soul and the landscape shifting from winter to summer on the distinctive stretch between Sälen and Mora.”
”Vasaloppet is something you’ve grown up with, as obvious as any other annual tradition. I did a lot of skiing when I was younger, and running. There is something in common between work in the art studio and long distances in the forest; the monotonous endurance. I have tried to portray the movement and mass; as well as the individual effort and the experience of nature,” says artist Lisbeth Boholm.
The motifs will appear on Vasaloppet’s official posters as well as the diplomas that await the 90,000 registered participants who will fight their way forward in forefathers’ tracks towards the Mora finish line. Vasaloppet’s male and female winners will also each be awarded a print from a limited run of numbered copies, which will also be available for sale.
About Lisbeth Boholm
Lisbeth Boholm was born in 1966 and grew up in Tällberg, Leksand. She now lives and works in Falun. She paints mostly with oil and has her own studio in the house. In addition to her own artistic work, Lisbeth is also responsible for the art education at Fornby Folkhögskola in Borlänge.
Vasaloppet’s jury
Jordi Arkö, art consultant, Länskonst Dalarna
Johan Cederlund, museum director, Zorn Museum
Caroline Smitmanis Smids, head of culture, Mora municipality
Anna Romson, art director
(Anders Selling, former CEO of Vasaloppet)
Upcoming events in the Vasaloppet Arena
Vasaloppet Winter Week 2016
Fri 26 Feb: Kortvasan. 30 km. Start Oxberg.
Sat 27 Feb: Tjejvasan. 30 km. Start Oxberg.
Sun 28 Feb: Ungdomsvasan. 3, 5, 7 or 9 km. Start Mora Ski Stadium.
Sun 28 Feb: Öppet Spår Sunday. 90 km. Start Sälen.
Mon 29 Feb: Öppet Spår Monday. 90 km. Start Sälen.
Tue 1 Mar: Halvvasan. 45 km. Start Oxberg.
Fri 4 Mar: Stafettvasan. 9–24 km. Relay race for five-person teams. Start Sälen.
Sun 6 Mar: Vasaloppet. 90 km. Start Sälen. (15,800 entries. FULL 22/3/2015.)
Vasaloppet Summer Week 2016
Fri 12 aug: Cykelvasan 30. 32 km. Start Oxberg.
Fri 12 aug: Ungdomscykelvasan. 32 km. Start Oxberg.
Fri 12 aug: Cykelvasan 45. 45 km. Start Oxberg.
Fri 12 aug: Cykelvasan Öppet Spår. 94 km. Start Sälen.
Sat 13 aug: Cykelvasan 90. 94 km. Start Sälen.
Sat 20 aug: Ultravasan 45. 45 km. Start Oxberg.
Sat 20 aug: Ultravasan 90. 90 km. Start Sälen.
Sat 20 aug: Vasastafetten. 4,5–15 km. Running relay race for ten-person teams. Start Sälen.
