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Family

Family © Hedi-Jaansoo-and-KUMU-Art-Museum

Estonia, 2019

Concrete, metal, mixed media, Dimensions variable, height approximately 120 cm

Purchased from the artist in 2023


Edith Karlson’s artwork is often described as fables, as her sculptures of animals are given human characteristics and behaviours. Dogs, bears, and birds are just a few of the creatures that Karlson uses to comment on society’s function and dysfunction, often with critical overtones. The intensity with which these themes appear in her work reflects society’s response to the transformation following 1990.


One sculpture that exemplifies Karlson’s critical approach is Family, featuring a group of animal-inspired figures. Among them, one is holding a box containing miniature human figures, while two others, with monstrous lizard-like heads, stand near him. The sculpture serves as a powerful reminder of equality, self-determination, and individual freedom, as family is ultimately a community of love and harmony among people.


Edith Karlson studied at the Academy of Art in Tallinn, Estonia, and has exhibited her work regularly since 2005 in Estonia, as well as in Austria, Finland, Belgium, and beyond.

More artists from the following country:
Estonia

TIMELINE
Edith KARLSON : Family, 2019 - On display in Parlamentarium, Brussels

Family

Edith KARLSON

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    Acquisition programme of works of art from Croatia following the Bureau decision from 13 December 2006.


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    (…) the intrinsic value of culture and of artistic expression should always be preserved and promoted and that artistic creation is at the heart of cooperation projects. European Parliament legislative resolution of 28 March 2019 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Creative Europe programme (2021 to 2027) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1295/2013 (COM(2018)0366 – C8 0237/2018 – 2018/0190(COD))


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    Acquisition programme of works of art from Germany, Poland, Spain and Sweden following the Bureau decision from 25 November 2019

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    Acquisition programme of works of art from Czechia, Italy, Malta and Slovakia following the Bureau decision from 25 November 2019


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    Acquisition programme of works of art from Cyprus, Estonia, Malta, Romania and The Netherlands following the Bureau decision from 25 November 2019

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    Acquisition programme of works of art from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia and Finland following the Bureau decision from 25 November 2019


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