In the exhibition ”Tungstenar”, Maria Westmar explores the image of the mountain. A shark tooth forms the basis for her artistic and investigative work on the materials and the stories they give rise to. ”Tungstenar,” along with ”glossopetrae,” are older terms for shark teeth or shark tooth-like stones; objects that we now call fossils.

In 1665, the Danish anatomist Nicolaus Steno travels to Florence, Italy. Here, he becomes part of the Accademia del Cimento, a scientific academy for experimental natural science whose foundation was laid by students of Galileo Galilei shortly before Steno’s arrival. He soon receives the task of dissecting the head of a white shark found in the coastal town of Livorno. The shark is transported to Florence, and in front of spectators, Nicolaus Steno dissects the shark’s head. In the jaws of the white shark, Steno examines its teeth. Remains of seemingly marine animals and plants such as shells, corals, mussel shells, and shark teeth can be found in the mountains around Florence. How is it possible to find something resembling shark teeth enclosed in the mountains when they are located far from the sea, Steno and others wonder. Have they grown inside the stone? Have the shark teeth arisen from dead material? Are the shells remnants of the flood, or are they actual parts of previously marine animals?

Maria Westmar

Starting from the body, Maria Westmar explores how seemingly solid materials and rigid entities can be attributed movement and change by understanding them relationally. Materials play a meaningful role in her artistic work, which, together with the idea, drives the process forward. In her work with stone, textile, sand, and foam rubber, she wonders if they are in motion. Whether the materials are alive or dead and if they have agency.

Maria Westmar lives and works in Malmö. She holds an MFA in Fine Arts with a focus on textiles from Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design. Maria Westmar has exhibited and collaborated in various venues, including Sjöbo Konsthall, Sjöbo (2023), Inter Art Center, Malmö (2022), Krognoshuset, Lund (2019), Kvamsdals Fargeri, Norway (2018), and Zabriskie Point, Switzerland (2017). Her artistic practice has been awarded several grants, including the Swedish Arts Grants Committee’s two-year working grant (2023), Ester Lindahls travel grant (2022), Malmö Art Museum’s grant from the Aase and Richard Björklund fund (2020), Malmö City’s cultural grant (2019), and a grant from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (2019).

Part of Craft Days 2024

The Craft Days Biennial takes place from May 2nd to May 5th, 2024, with the aim of highlighting, strengthening, and showcasing the field of crafts in the Västra Götaland region.

Art galleries, cooperatives, educational institutions, and artist-driven initiatives come together in a rich program featuring exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and much more. Craft Center is the project leader and coordinates the event in collaboration with Konstepidemin, the Textile Museum, Form & Folk, and Not Quite. Craft Days 2024 is supported by the City of Gothenburg and the Västra Götaland Region.