Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd1934 - 2016
Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd was a Swedish artist, sculptor and filmmaker whose multidisciplinary practice made him one of the most distinctive voices in Nordic contemporary art. Trained at the Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm and later at Académie André Lhote in Paris, he developed a diverse artistic language that ranged from drawing and painting to large-scale sculpture, installation and conceptual work. Throughout his career Reuterswärd embraced experimentation, often using humour, irony and social critique to challenge conventions and provoke reflection.
His work is marked by a playful yet incisive approach to political and cultural themes. He explored issues of communication, conflict and media through forms that are at once visually striking and intellectually layered. While his artistic output spans many mediums, Reuterswärd is internationally recognised for “Non-Violence,” the bronze sculpture of a revolver with a knotted barrel. Created in 1980 as a tribute to John Lennon, the piece has become a universal symbol of peace and is installed at prominent locations around the world, including the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Beyond his iconic public works, Reuterswärd produced an extensive body of drawings, conceptual pieces and sculptural experiments that demonstrate his restless creativity and sharp critical eye. His contributions have left a lasting impact on Swedish art and on the global discourse surrounding peace, cultural responsibility and the transformative power of visual expression.
mmentary, and political satire. Reuterswärd's most famous work is the "Non Violence" sculpture, a bronze revolver with a knotted barrel, which has become an iconic symbol of peace.
