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Claes Nordenhake Reflects on 50 Years of Galerie Nordenhake

other · 2026-07-27

Claes Nordenhake, the Swedish art dealer, marks the 50th anniversary of his eponymous gallery, Galerie Nordenhake, which opened in 1976 in Malmö, Sweden. Starting as a one-man operation handling cleaning, design, carpentry, and courier duties, Nordenhake also acted as photographer, philosopher, business strategist, psychotherapist, and divorce counselor. The gallery initially focused on Minimalist and conceptual contemporary art. Over five decades, it expanded to Stockholm, Berlin, and Mexico City, becoming a powerhouse brand. Nordenhake, born in 1948 and raised in Skåne, shared these reflections in an interview with Artsy from his Berlin branch.

Key facts

  • Galerie Nordenhake celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024.
  • The gallery opened in 1976 in Malmö, Sweden.
  • Nordenhake performed roles including cleaner, security guard, interior designer, carpenter, courier, warehouse manager, photographer, philosopher, business strategist, psychotherapist, and divorce counselor.
  • The gallery initially showed Minimalist and conceptual contemporary art.
  • Galerie Nordenhake now has locations in Stockholm, Berlin, and Mexico City.
  • Claes Nordenhake was born in 1948 and grew up in Skåne, Sweden.
  • The interview was conducted by Artsy from Nordenhake's Berlin branch.
  • Nordenhake described himself as a 'sympathetic drinking buddy' one day and an 'arrogant bastard' the next.

Entities

Artists

  • Claes Nordenhake

Institutions

  • Galerie Nordenhake
  • Artsy

Locations

  • Malmö
  • Sweden
  • Stockholm
  • Berlin
  • Mexico City
  • Skåne

Sources