The first U.S. survey of Anna-Eva Bergman, “Revelation” is one of the few looks at the experimental practice of the dynamic Norwegian-born artist, who lived from 1909—1987. A multi-talented individual working first as an illustrator, journalist, and author, Bergman’s painting process evolved from a ravenous curiosity about the world. With an oeuvre spanning many materials, icons, and subject matter, Bergman’s work is largely figurative—though that doesn’t indicate that it’s devoid of meaning. With a biography including the struggles of World War II and Nazi occupation, a marriage (twice) to Hans Hartung, and a conscience that led to activism, Bergman’s pared-down visual repertoire is the result of years of experimenting with different materials and finds itself chock-full of questions about the invisible forces that govern the universe and reflecting the people and the world around her.
Open at Perrotin’s New York Gallery from September 7—October 22, “Revelation” precedes two forthcoming retrospectives of Bergman’s work in 2023 at the Museum of Modern Art in Paris and Oslo’s National Museum.
