Solanum V

Moa Israelsson, "Solanum I - V", 2024. Photo: Galleri Flach.

Using materials such as latex, nylon, papier maché, aquarelle, and flax, visual artist Moa Israelsson has recreated a delicate potato plant, which has found its way to the SSE Permanent Collection and can be seen on Sveavägen 65, 5th floor corridor (Graceland). 

Solanum V, 2024, is one of five sculptures (Solanum I-V) which together with other, similar, works, such as dandelions and blades of grass, have in previous exhibitions been collected under the unifying title A Horizon: where nature is in focus and an imaginary horizon present. A horizon whose meaning refers both to the line in the field of vision where ground and sky meet, and to the uppermost, darkest layer of earth, consisting of decaying organic debris. 

The sculptures are carefully crafted in many different techniques, and Israelsson describes the process as an essential part of the artwork. The work is time-consuming, and passing time is a frequently occurring theme in her artworks. Often, the materials and objects in her works transform from something “somewhat useful to becoming a study in decay”, just like nature’s own progress. “There is despair in the accomplishment, as if whoever has done this work has done it out of necessity.”

Moa Israelsson is a visual artist, born in Ljungby 1982. She lives and works in Åkers Styckebruk. She graduated from the Royal University Collage of Fine Arts in Stockholm in 2010 and has participated in solo and group exhibitions in several museums and galleries both in Sweden and internationally.

Solanum V by Moa Israelsson, installation view in Graceland, 5th floor corridor ar SSE. Photo: Ninhursag Tadaros.