Kjerstin Krantz

My great interest in history has strongly influenced me and is clearly reflected in my art.
Our runestones and rock carvings are not only beautiful to look at; now and then you find a legend or a historic truth that lies behind.

To gather some facts concerning the historical background I read a lot about the relevant period, our Nordic mythology, history and archaeology. The Icelandic sagas, the Edda, Beowulf and the Finnish national epos Kalevala are examples of literature I turn to, to get answers to my questions.

My "cooperation" with the carvers gives rice to a lot of reflections. How did they think? What did they mean? What would they like to tell us?
When I am painting these sometimes complicated figures I have a feeling that it is not me but the carver who has taken over the brush.

Motif based on a runic stone in Myrby, Boglösa, Uppland, Sweden. 11th century (during the Viking era).