Olof Marsja's 'The Nameless One' at NEVVEN, Gothenburg
At NEVVEN in Gothenburg, Olof Marsja showcases 'The Nameless One,' which features an imposing sculpture characterized by a Cyclopean head, adorned in reindeer fur and a ceremonial garment marked with horseradish root and oak gall, created in collaboration with Matilda Söderling. This figure, reminiscent of shamanic rituals and exploration, sports a backpack and has heads dangling from its belt. The title pays homage to the 1999 video game 'Planescape: Torment.' Born in 1986 in Gällivare, Sweden, and of Sámi descent, Marsja delves into themes of identity and cultural erosion through duodji. The exhibition also displays two silvered glass heads symbolizing the sun and moon. Marsja earned a BFA from Konstfack University in 2017 and was awarded the Stena Foundation Culture Scholarship in 2023. Future exhibitions are planned for Bergen Kunsthall and other venues in 2026-2027.
Key facts
- Olof Marsja's solo exhibition 'The Nameless One' at NEVVEN, Gothenburg, 2026.
- Central sculpture features a Cyclopean head, reindeer fur, and ritual dress stained with horseradish root and oak gall, designed with Matilda Söderling.
- Title references the 1999 video game 'Planescape: Torment'.
- Marsja is of Sámi background, born 1986 in Gällivare, Sweden.
- He holds a BFA from Konstfack University (2017) and received the Stena Foundation Culture Scholarship (2023) and Maria Bonnier Dahlin Stipend (2019).
- Upcoming exhibitions in 2026: Bergen Kunsthall, Konsthallen Trollhättan, Copenhagen Contemporary, Somerset House; in 2027: Kunstsilo.
- Recent exhibitions include Accelerator, Wereldmuseum, NEVVEN, 1646, Scandinavia House, Public Service Gallery, Gammel Strand, Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Kiasma, Gothenburg Museum of Art, Göteborgs Konsthall, Galerie Nordenhake focus, Moderna Museet, Lyon Contemporary Art Biennale, Luleå Biennial, The Sámi Center for Contemporary Art, Röhsska Museet, Bonniers Konsthall.
- Marsja lives and works in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Entities
Artists
- Olof Marsja
- Matilda Söderling
Institutions
- NEVVEN
- Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts & Design
- Stena Foundation
- Maria Bonnier Dahlin Foundation
- Bergen Kunsthall
- Konsthallen Trollhättan
- Copenhagen Contemporary
- Somerset House
- Kunstsilo
- Accelerator
- Wereldmuseum
- 1646
- Scandinavia House
- Public Service Gallery
- Gammel Strand
- Buffalo AKG Art Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma
- Gothenburg Museum of Art
- Göteborgs Konsthall
- Galerie Nordenhake focus
- Moderna Museet
- Lyon Contemporary Art Biennale
- Luleå Biennial
- The Sámi Center for Contemporary Art
- Röhsska Museet
- Bonniers Konsthall
- Black Isle Studios
- Interplay Entertainment
Locations
- Gothenburg
- Sweden
- Gällivare
- Stockholm
- Bergen
- Norway
- Trollhättan
- Copenhagen
- Denmark
- London
- United Kingdom
- Kristiansand
- Leiden
- Netherlands
- The Hague
- New York
- United States
- Buffalo
- Helsinki
- Finland
- Karasjok
- Lyon
- France
- Luleå
- Kola Peninsula
- Russia