The County Administrative Board is to examine, among other things, the agreements entered into for the creation of digital art for sale, so-called NFTs, and whether it is compatible with the statutes that Hilma af Klint's works are exhibited at exhibitions and in galleries around the world.
This is only the latest development in a long-standing conflict over the artist Hilma af Klint between the foundation's chairman and the family's head, Erik af Klint, and other board members. Erik af Klint has previously requested that the district court remove the other board members.
Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) was relatively unknown during her lifetime, but gained an international breakthrough in the 1980s, long after her death, and is considered a pioneer in abstract art. Currently, separate exhibitions of her works are taking place at museums in New York and Tokyo.
The artist herself believed that she painted on commission from spirits, and Erik af Klint interprets the statutes as meaning that the works should not be exhibited in museums, but only for those seeking spiritual guidance. The paintings should not be sold either.
Now I hope that Hilma's life's work will be protected from further mismanagement, says af Klint to Kulturnytt.
The majority of the board has previously established that it believes that art should be accessible to all "regardless of religion or conviction" and that the sale of works may be necessary to secure the preservation of the collection.
