Maria Bajt

Werke

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU

May the force be with you, 2021 © Photo: Brendan Austin

Public Art Artist: Maria Bajt, Co-worker: Martin Kallin Place: New Children and Youth Ward, Helsingborg Hospital, Helsingborg, Sweden Client: Region Skåne, Sweden Materials: Digitally printed molded laminated glass, digitally printed laminated glass, vinyl fabric, digitally printed vinyl wallpaper, laminate, painted walls, posters and power animal face masks. My art for Helsingborg Hospital children and youth ward is deeply inspired by the concept of power/totem animals, avatars, and the enchanting beauty of nature. The idea of power animals from shamanism serves as the foundation for my work, aiming to create a comforting and imaginative space for both children and adults within the hospital environment. My designs encompass a vibrant array of elements, including symbolic narrative imagery, colour field painting, and patterns that reflect the wonders of nature. Each of the 18 care rooms features a unique power animal, carefully designed to provide a sense of security and protection for the young patients. The use of different colour combinations in distinct areas serves not only to create a visual distinction but also to establish a harmonious dialogue between spaces. Moreover, the inclusion of digitally printed wallpapers, laminated glass walls depicting captivating scenes, and posters showcasing all the power animals add a touch of enchantment to the hospital environment. The provision of face masks featuring the power animals further enhances the therapeutic experience for children, allowing them to process their hospital experiences and take home a tangible memory. Overall, my aim is that the visionary approach not only transforms the hospital environment into a realm of comfort and creativity but also fosters a sense of wonder and resilience in the young patients.

EOS (pink, blue, green)

Eos (blue). Installation view from Museum of Drawings, Sweden. © Photo: Martin Kallin

Eos, the goddess of the dawn, rises high into the sky every day, accompanied by a light that dispels the misty darkness of night. Her rotating body consists of a droplet, an eye, bone and hands, one firmly connected to the earth and the other reaching skyward. Eos’s rosy shimmering body represents rebirth and transience and demonstrates the relation of the woman’s body to a cyclical time as asserted by Julia Kristeva, a temporal passage in contrast to the linear time associated with men. Highlighting the duality of her relationship to Nyx, the same pattern is used for both sculptures, as each one is bound to and being defined by the other, both as opposites and as necessary parts for the daily cycle. Eos is accompanied by two other sculptures which together form a group, communicating with each other and with the visitors. While reaching skyward, they remain grounded with their hands almost touching. Their eyes, composed of dichroic glass which changes colours under different lighting conditions and viewing angles, cast colourful beams around the room and upon visitors as they rotate.

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW

Somewhere over the Rainbow, 2023/ painted mural for waiting room, 1 of 3 interactive mechanic cloud objects and hand painted object in woodblocks. © Photo: Martin Kallin

Public Art Artist: Maria Bajt, Co-worker: Martin Kallin Location: Habiliteringen, Mora lasarett, Mora, Sweden Client: Region Dalarna/ project manager: ArtPlatform Materials: Digitally printed laminated glass, digitally printed high-pressure laminate, climbing grips, hand-painted wood/digitally printed laminate on mechanical wooden objects, acrylic paint on wall. The vision for the art of habilitation at Mora Hospital is focused on creating a unified and uplifting expression in the environment. The artworks and colors are carefully selected to generate light, energy, and a positive atmosphere for all individuals, regardless of their background or abilities. The use of the rainbow as a theme and the incorporation of the four elements - fire, water, air, and earth - play a central role in the artistic design. The installation aims to be contemporary yet timeless, activating imagination and providing a sense of inclusion for both children and adults in the environment.

FANTASTIC FIGURES

Fantastic Figures, 2021/ Artis book. Edition of 50 for the pre school to be used for workshops. © Photo: Maria Bajt

Public Art Artist: Maria Bajt, Co-worker: Martin Kallin Location: Hjärtebacke preschool, Näsby, Kristianstad, Sweden Client: Kristianstad municipality Materials: Water- laser cut stainless steel in two layers, wet painted sheet metal, artist book. My goal is to create a dynamic and cohesive environment, at Hjärtebacke pre-school, through the use of artwork and a vibrant color scheme that emanates light and energy. The art draws inspiration from the concept of play and collaboration, influenced by the Surrealist drawing game ”Exquisite Corpse.” Comprising sculptures, a facade relief, and an artist's book, the installation incorporates elements of nature and wildlife from the Skåne region. Overall, the art aims to foster creativity, language exploration, and an early appreciation for nature among both children and adults.

THE BLUE PANTRY

Public art Artist: Maria Bajt, Co-worker: Martin Kallin Location: Dining hall, Jörlandaskolan/ elementary school, Stenungsund, Sweden Client: Stenungsund Municipality Material: 160 painted MDF boards 68 cm x 68 cm, 8mm, Flügger Dekso 1 ultra matt, Flügger High finish 5 carpentry colour, Soudal glue. Dimensions: 62,328 square metres I created a mural for the dining room of Jörlanda Primary School, inspired by the future of food production from the sea. The vision was to create a visually striking and cohesive work of art that would appeal to all the senses and to people of all ages and backgrounds. The mural consists of hand-painted panels that form a large, dynamic image that reflects the connection of the sea to the local area and the global concern for the health of the oceans. I aim for the artwork to be both playful and mysterious, enveloping the viewer in the magical power of the sea.

THE BREATH OF THE FOREST

Public Art Artist: Maria Bajt, Co-worker: Martin Kallin Location: Lammhult ́s new elementary school, Lammhult, Sweden, 5 entrances and multiple high side windows. Client: Vöfab/ Vidingehem /Växjö municipility Project managed by: Växjö Art hall Material: Digitally printed laminated glass/ 5 entrances with a total of 79 pieces of printed laminated safety glass/ artist book The artistic design for the school entrances at Lammhult´s new elementary school consists of intricate patterns, colours, and shapes digitally printed on laminated glass. Each one of the five entrance represents a different climate zone and a building block in the natural process of photosynthesis. The art project aims to emphasize the connection to the forest and the impact of natural processes on everyone, regardless of their location. The artwork is accompanied by an artist’s book that serves as an educational tool for students and staff, providing an introduction to the art.

NYX

Nyx, 2023. Installation view The Museum of Drawings, Sweden. © Photo: Martin Kallin

Suspended from a pointed hat covered in cascading faux black hair, an organic form suggestive of two weightless bodies intertwined, simultaneously coming together and pulling apart in the middle of a transfigurative artistic mitosis. Beneath are swirling legs and amphibious frog-like feet belonging to a creature at ease in both the elements of water and on earth. These individual elements attached vertically come together to form Nyx, covered in purple and black skin branded with a pattern suggestive of swirling, agitated waters where action and power bubbles beneath the surface. She slowly spins around, becoming a hypnotic whirling dervish between worlds in the midst of a shamanic rite. The hat, often historically seen as an identity signifier, is further complicated by the complex symbol of a woman’s hair signifying fertility, aesthetic beauty and often associated with a woman’s private life or sexuality. In Greek mythology, the goddess Nyx was the personification of the night, and who according to Hesiod’s poem Theogony, was born of Chaos, the void which preceded the creation of the universe. Having emerged from this nothingness, she, with Erebus (darkness), bore two children Aether (atmosphere) and Hemera (day). Later eschewing a mate, she gave birth to her children Momos (guilt), Ponos (toil), Moros (fate), Thanatos (death) and Hypnos (sleep) and the Kers, the violent goddesses of death. Nyx begins and ends with darkness.

Eckdaten

https://www.mariabajt.com/

Grafik, Installation, Malerei, Skulptur

* 1976

Maria Bajt (*1976, Stockholm, Schweden; lebt und arbeitet in Berlin) arbeitet mit einer Reihe von Medien - von Zeichnung, Skulptur und Malerei bis hin zu Druckgrafik, Installation und Kunst im öffentlichen Raum - um existenzielle Themen und die Mythen und Folklore, die die Geschichte begleiten, zu erkunden. Ihre hybriden, metaphorischen Körper und Formen bewegen sich im Grenzbereich und in der Begegnung zwischen dem Menschlichen und dem Nicht-Menschlichen, zwischen Natur und Science-Fiction. Maria Bajt besitzt einen M.F.A. Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm, Schweden (2003-2008).

Vita

Maria Bajt/ Visual Artist
B. 1976 in Stockholm/Sweden
Based in Berlin/Germany (since 2008) and Skåne/Sweden

EDUCATION
2003-2008 The Royal Institute of Art/ Stockholm/ Sweden/ Master of fine Art (MFA)
2006 Faculty of fine Arts / Changmai/ Thailand
2001-2003 Art school Paletten, Stockholm, Sweden/preparatory art school
1999-2003 Stockholm University/ courses in Art history, Buildings history, Garden art
and Landscape design.

GRANTS
2019 Helge Ax:on Johnson Foundation/ Travel scholarship to Japan
2015 The Swedish Arts grants Committee, Sweden/ 2-year working grant
2014 Längmanska fonden, Sweden
2013 Royal Academy, Sweden/ Sven x:et Erixsons stipendium
2012 Iaspis, Sweden/ cultural exchange, Mexico City
2012 The Swedish Arts grants committee, Sweden/ 1-year working grant
2011 Stift. P.O. Winqvists travel scholarship, Sweden
2009 Esther Lindahls scholarship, Sweden/ research trip to Gujarat, India
2008 Royal Academy, Sweden, Hans och Desy Vikstens scholarship
2007 Royal Academy, Sweden, Eva och Hugo Bergmans memory fund
2007 Stiftelsen Gustaf och Ida Unmans donation fund, Sweden

PUBLIC ART IN COLLABORATION WITH MARTIN KALLIN
2024 Stenungsund elementary school, Sweden/ The blue pantry
2023 Mora hospital, habilitation, Sweden/ Somewhere over the rainbow,
2023 Lammhults new elementary school, Sweden/ The breath of the forest
2021 Kristianstad, Sweden / Fantastic Figures
2021 Helsingborg hospital, children and youth ward, Sweden/May the force be with you
2020 Norrstjärnan preschool, Örebro, Sweden/ birds from ozet
2020 Norrtälje harbour, Sweden/ Song to the sirens
2018 Björn Springfeldt, Sweden/ Eternal flames, private collection
2018 Linköping, Sweden/ Hide and seek, mural painting
2008 Stockholms konst, Sweden/ Eurenii minne, pre school

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2017 American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, USA/ Cows can dream
2016 Norrtälje Art hall, Sweden/ Seventeen rooms
2015 Olle nymans ateljé, Saltsjö-boo, Sweden/ Pirates gold
2014 x:et Musem, Botkyrka Art hall, Sweden/ Distance of the moon,
2013 Wanås konst, Östra Göinge, Sweden/ Cows can dream
2011 Galleri Thomassen, Göteborg, Sweden/ Night wanderer
2008 Galleri Mejan, MFA exhibition, Stockholm, Sweden/ Garden of Revelation

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 The Museum of Drawings, Laholm, Sweden/ Bajt// Heiska, duo exhibition
2023 Hishult Art hall, Sweden/ Flos Potentia
2022 Sergelgatans Art hall, Sweden/ Startshow, Stockholm art week
2021 Kristianstad Art hall, Sweden/ inblick, Public Art
2021 Nationalmuseum, Berlin, Germany/ The gods threw the dogs a bone
2018 Nordic Art gallery, Antibes, France/ Swedish printmakers
2017 Sak, Royal Academy, Stockholm, Sweden
2017 Id:1 gallery, Stockholm, Sweden/ Side by side
2017 Dada post gallery, Berlin, Germany/ Transitions Ep:3,thresholds
2016 Hilbertraum, Berlin, Germany/ Zeit
2015 Gallery Rockelmann &, Berlin, Germany/ Paper works,
2015 Hilbertraum, Berlin, Germany/ Jokes, lies and prophesies
2015 Norrtälje konsthall/ Art in the stream
2015 Hilsbach kunstverein, Germany/ Drei erzählungen
2014 Nikolai kunsthalle, Copenhagen, Denmark/ Imagine, a glimpse of wanås
2013 Enclave gallery, London, UK/ The opinion makers
2013 Fold gallery, London, UK/ Speak,clown!
2013 Charlie Dutton gallery, London, UK/ We sell pornography here
2013 Galleri Monica Strandberg, Kalmar, Sweden/ with Dan Wirén
2013 Gumbostrand Konst, Finland/ Thirteen is a lucky number
2013 Galerie d´ys, Bruxelles, Belgium/ Discovery, with Kate Lyddon
2012 Trollhättan Art hall, Sweden/ Paper trails
2012 Jakobsbergs Art hall, Stockholm, Sweden/ print-11 printmakers
2011 The Royal Academy, Stockholm, Sweden/ Scholarship exhibition
2011 Open Art, sculpture biennale, Örebro, Sweden
2011 Galleri 21, Malmö, Sweden/ Paper trails
2010 Aboa Vetus Art Museum, Turku, Finland/ Because of me i draw the line
2010 Åland Art Museum / Norrtälje art hall, Sweden and Finland/ Combined lines
2009 Project room Urbanstrasse, Berlin, Germany/pin-up
2009 Dada post gallery, Berlin, Germany/ Youth cult
2009 Galleri kg52, Stockholm, Sweden/ cut & paste
2008 Västerås Art Museum, Sweden/ VASTERAS
2008 Lilla baren Riche, with Michael Jordan, Stockholm, Sweden
2008 Royal Academy, Stockholm, Sweden/ Spring exhibition
2008 Galleri Astley, Uttersberg, Sweden/ Samtid - from Björn Springfeldts collection
2007 Kabusa Art hall, Sweden/ Prophesy
2007 Bonniers Art hall, Stockholm, Sweden/ Searching for the lost self

PROJECTS
2023 The Swedish pharmacy Art association, the annual print making edition/ Hygiea
2023 Grafikens hus/Museum of Contemporary Printmaking, Sweden/ podcast
2016-2019 Wanås konst, Östra Göinge, Sweden/ Stumpadelica, sculpture reading room with Martin Kallin