Papier - Bea Szenfeld and Stina Wirsén

Papier - Bea Szenfeld and Stina Wirsén

In a juncture between art and fashion, two renowned Swedish artists meet in a mutual affection for the handmade and paper.

The exhibition Papier, now open at American Swedish Institute through July 11, 2021 - unites Bea Szenfeld’s spectacular sculptural paper-fashions with Stina Wirsén’s evocative illustrations.

“This exhibition is about being live in a human body…and most of all it is about paper. Paper is our material; it is a love story about handicraft, about thousands of hours of thinking, drawing and sewing.”  

Bea Szenfeld (b. 1972) is known for her experimentation with unconventional material and fabric. Using scissors, tape, staples, needle and thread, she creates pieces that are both bold and delicate. Bea continuously pushes the convention of both paper and fashion.  

Stina Wirsén (b. 1968) is one of Sweden’s best-known illustrators. Her work is vast and varied - from high fashion to children’s books. Her drawing style is elegant yet expressive, effortless and spontaneous, and unmistakable. It is easy to become lost in the picture world of Stina Wirsén. 

Papier features a dozen of Bea’s wearable pieces, while Stina's expressive drawings and illustrations set the scene.  Bea's work Grief, representing the loss of loved ones, will be on view through Sunday, April 25, before it returns to an exhibition in Sweden. 

See below for a 360 video tour of the exhibition!

The U.S. debut and tour is organized in collaboration with the House of Sweden, Embassy of Sweden in Washington D.C. Papier originally exhibited in Sweden at Lidköping Art Hall, as curated by Amanda Österberg. 

Register for a Virtual Tour of the exhibition with ASI's curators and artists. Tours take place the first Friday of every month.