Erik af Klint, the board chair of the Hilma af Klint Foundation and the great-grandnephew of the late Swedish artist, recently reiterated his strong belief that Hilma’s body of work should be entirely removed from institutional and commercial curation. In a recent interview with Hyperallergic, Erik emphasized that Hilma’s creations are not merely artwork but rather transcriptions of her communications with the spiritual world. He argued that these works should be housed in a temple exclusively accessible to spiritual seekers who meet certain criteria outlined by the foundation.
Erik referenced a specific clause in one of the foundation’s statutes, which stipulates that the board must ensure that Hilma’s work remains available to those seeking spiritual knowledge and who can contribute to fulfilling the mission intended by her spiritual guide. The statute also emphasizes that her legacy should only be accessible to individuals who share a sympathetic attitude towards the foundation’s purpose and will not misuse it.
Erik became the foundation’s chairperson two years ago and emphasized the importance of both parts of the statute, particularly noting that Hilma’s legacy should only be available to a select group of individuals and not the general public. He expressed his concern over the commercialization of Hilma’s work, citing instances where her original works were minted into NFTs and sold for profit.
In 2023, Erik filed a lawsuit against other board members and the foundation’s CEO, accusing them of profiting personally from Hilma’s legacy through licensing deals and commercial ventures. He also opposed a deal that would have made David Zwirner the representing gallery for the foundation, deeming it a “hostile takeover” that would contribute to the risk of commercializing Hilma’s work.
Despite the foundation’s rules allowing for the sale of certain works to finance the preservation of others, Erik has vehemently opposed the sale of any of Hilma’s paintings, emphasizing that they should remain together as the artist intended. He expressed his intention to protect the foundation’s statutes by seeking intervention from Swedish authorities if necessary.
Erik also discussed Hilma’s vision for a spiral-shaped temple dedicated to her paintings, which she sketched out after being instructed to do so by a spirit. He believes that by removing her work from public view, it will attract truth-seekers who will ultimately build the temple she envisioned.
Hilma’s legacy gained widespread recognition following a 2018 exhibition at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, which propelled her abstract and cross-spiritual works into the spotlight. Erik believes that there is a deeper purpose behind the renewed interest in Hilma’s art and remains committed to upholding her vision and intentions for her body of work. The Hilma af Klint Foundation board members are dedicated to ensuring that the valuable physical art created by Hilma af Klint remains accessible to the public and researchers. The majority of the board members believe that Hilma’s art should be appreciated by all, leading to discussions about the possibility of establishing a permanent museum to showcase her creations.
In a statement released through a spokesperson, board members Ulf Wagner, Katarina de Voto, Juhani Selvani, and Anders Kumlander emphasized the importance of making Hilma’s art available for viewing, stating that there is nowhere else in the world where one can experience her unique work. The foundation has initiated an external investigation to explore the feasibility of establishing a museum dedicated to Hilma’s art.
The board members acknowledged that there have been discussions about the interpretation of the foundation’s statutes and have sought expert opinions to understand how these texts should be viewed in a contemporary context. They affirmed that the board has the authority to interpret the statutes and are committed to ensuring that Hilma’s work remains accessible to those who wish to appreciate and study it.
Despite recent petitions and debates surrounding the foundation’s work, the board members remain focused on their mission to preserve and promote Hilma af Klint’s legacy. They did not comment on the ongoing discussions but reiterated their dedication to continuing their work as usual.
Overall, the Hilma af Klint Foundation is committed to upholding the legacy of Hilma af Klint and ensuring that her groundbreaking art remains accessible for generations to come. Through their efforts, they aim to provide a platform for the public and researchers to appreciate and learn from Hilma’s unique artistic vision.
