See a World in a Grain of Sand

A Group Show at Ivar Stockholm in collaboration with Willas Contemporary, running from June 20th - October 5th, 2024

Swedish artist Helene Schmitz once noted that her series Earth Works from Namibia reminded her of an hourglass. As time passed, the empty rooms in the abandoned mine town slowly filled with sand, transforming them into gigantic hourglasses.

The title of our summer exhibition, See a World in a Grain of Sand, is drawn from William Blake's poem Auguries of Innocence, written in 1806. It encapsulates the idea of finding profound meaning in the smallest of things and symbolizes how innocence and wonder allow one to perceive the extraordinary in the ordinary. This sentiment resonates through the works on display, as each photograph encourages viewers to see the world from a new perspective.

Photography stops time, capturing moments and non-moments that might otherwise slip away. Roger Ballen reflects on this idea: "Photography tells you that every second in time is different from every other second." Jimmy Nelson believes, "Photographs open doors into the past, but also allow a look into the future." Vee Speers captures the essence of time in her work: "Photography can stop time and hold it captive in a frame, making the ephemeral eternal."

The sales exhibition is organized by WILLAS contemporary, and features works by;

Roger Ballen
Jacob Gils*
Arno Rafael Minkkinen
Jimmy Nelson
Helene Schmitz
Vee Speers

WELCOME and ENJOY!

*) Works by Jacob Gils are presented in collaboration with Anna Zachrisson,  who is Jacob Gils Artist Liaison and agent for Sweden.
**) Helene Schmitz - The Lounge 2015 - 58 x 75 cm Edition #3/3+ 1 AP Courtesy WILLAS contemporary