Artist P.G. Thelander dies at 90

Swedish artist P.G. Thelander, celebrated for his vibrant and whimsical creations, has passed away at the age of 90. His family announced his death to Dagens Nyheter. Thelander was renowned for his distinctive style, often featuring playful motifs such as penguins, rubber ducks, and colorful strips, which frequently carried historical undertones, drawing inspiration from the Renaissance.

Throughout his career, Thelander explored various artistic techniques, excelling as a painter, sculptor, and graphic artist. He first gained recognition in the 1960s, and his art found a home in prominent collections worldwide, including exhibitions in London, Paris, Dresden, Mexico City, New York, and San Francisco.

In a 2008 interview with Upsala Nya Tidning, Thelander discussed his artistic process, explaining his method of incorporating elements from his surroundings into his work. He described this as a way to "remind of the present and reality," creating a trompe l'oeil effect where the subject matter itself became secondary to form and expression. He also noted his preference for using colors separate from the main motif to achieve decorative balance and enhance the composition.

His significant contributions to the art world were further recognized in 2018 when the Italian publisher Skira Editore released "Made with no loss of time," a comprehensive book detailing Thelander's artistic journey and career, authored by German writer and art critic Necmi Sönmez. Thelander was born on May 2, 1936, and studied at Konstfack and the Royal Institute of Art.

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I incorporate things that are around me into the pictures, as a reminder of the present and reality. It becomes like a trompe l'oeil effect. The motif itself, the quote, is weakened; form and expression become more important. That is precisely why I like to add colors separate from the motif, it becomes more decorative and creates balance for the composition.