December 1st / January 12, 2024 – Storgatan 1
ABOUT the artists
Maria Abaddon
Hawazin Alotaibi
Sam King
Alonso Leon-Velarde
Luis Zela Koort
ABOUT the exhibition
Imaginarium presents existing and newly commissioned works by artists that offer new and alternative perspectives on often already cemented worldviews. The exhibition crosses the boundaries of reality and imagination, proposing to the viewer to consider new modes of information.
2022 gave us the word of the year; Permacrisis. A dizzying if not over consuming feeling that is ingrained in the years buzz word, and this year not much has shifted away from what is considered our new norm. As much as many were quick to point out that Permacrisis is a new word, although what it describes is not, how are we taking the whirlwind, that feels like its rapidly changing our world, when in reality it’s been there on going at a pace that time cannot determine.
As we close 2023, the year that gave us both Barbie and Oppenheimer, Imaginarium proposes an alternative at Public Service Gallery. Compounded between Imagination, Consortium and Arium – Imaginarium explains how partnership, community, and alternative perspectives guide us into moving away from our Permacrisis.
In their work the artists explore forward-thinking manifestos, modes of collaborative creation, new ways of imagining society, our environment, and our bodies The boundaries between inner vision and external reality seamlessly intertwine, converging into a harmonious unity, proposing an inviting space that allows viewers to venture through these notions and embark on an extraordinary journey through time and consciousness, exploring the boundaries of the known and the unknown.
Many of us continue pushing back against the old Western idea that a “Man of Reason” – often depicted as a white male – is the ultimate measure of everything in the universe. The artists are, in contrast, inviting us to broaden our perspective and challenge these long-held beliefs through their works, urging us to rethink what it means to be human and step outside the confines of traditional boundaries. Each artist envisions a fantastical world where life is an ever-changing canvas, shaped by the limitless power of imagination. Exploring themes of climate, AI, the body, and its societal place.
ABOUT the gallery
Public Service was founded in 2022 by Peter Gerdman, Aleksandar Stojanovski and Axel Söderberg. Sprung from a shared passion for the mechanisms of the art world and collecting patterns, they want to accompany a new generation of Scandinavian collectors in engaging with highly talented artists, from around the world, and at a pivotal moment in their careers.
Public Service is dedicated to shape an innovative program with a global outlook and central to the gallery’s programme is to showcase the most exciting young- to mid career international artists to a Scandinavian audience.
Peter brings international experience from leading art world institutions, having spent most of his professional career in the U.K., while Aleksandar holds vast knowledge on the know-hows within the Swedish art scene, after several years at a leading Stockholm-based gallery, and Axel brings diverse experience from the worlds of Business and Design.
Situated in a former bank, Public Service opened its brand new gallery space on Östermalmstorg to the public in January 2023, following an extensive renovation of the premises, which housed Handelsbanken for over 100 years. This conversion will create two floors of exhibition space, spread over more than 300 sqm, designed by the Stockholm-based architectural studio Halleroeds.
Inspired by a generational shift in the global art world, the Public Service team wishes to establish a creative and multi-faceted platform that will facilitate an increasingly collaborative way of partnering with institutions, artists, and curators alike.
Public Service Gallery
Storgatan 1
114 44 Stockholm
Sweden
Opening Hours:
Wednesday – Friday 12-18
Saturday 12-16
Or by appointment.