Ann Carlsson Korneev and Viktor Korneev: Art as an invitation to dialogue

By Malin Norman

With distinct artistic expressions, Ann Carlsson Korneev and Viktor Korneev live and work together, often collaborating on public artworks. Scan Magazine uncovers the artists’ different perspectives and what happens when their sculptural universes meet.

Based outside Fjällbacka in Bohuslän, Ann Carlsson Korneev and Viktor Korneev have lived and worked together for some 25 years. Surrounded by the mountains and the sea along the rugged Swedish west coast, the couple has Europe as their creative playground.

With a similar classical education and approach, the artists have different themes, expressions and contexts in their work. While Viktor focuses on the human form and psychology, Ann is inspired by the coastal landscape and often interprets nature and its elements.

Touch by Viktor Korneev.

Nature’s elements and human psychology

“The coastal landscape is a great source of inspiration to me,” says Ann. Her theme ‘archipelago – listen to the sea’ depicts landscapes from different perspectives, both beautiful as we wish them to be and eroded as they increasingly are. “It’s a theme I’ve been working with for some time, and it has followed me in sculpture, painting and public works.” Another of Ann’s themes is ‘man between micro- and macrocosm’, which is about trying to see existence from a larger universal, human perspective, exploring the great cycles of nature and the cosmos through art.

Viktor, on the other hand, portrays humans and their minds – contrasting outer form with inner psychology, finding expression and personality in his sculptures and bringing them to life. “For me, sculpture is a way of communicating with the viewer’s subconscious,” he says. “My main theme is the contrast and connection between the external visible and internal invisible psychological nature of man. I’m interested in the balance between the external form and its internal, psychological content.”

Infant by Viktor Korneev.

Collaborative art for insights and contemplation

One of the couple’s notable public art collaborations is Insikt – Utsikt (Insight – View), placed in front of the vibrant Culture Centre Sjöängen in Askersund, by the shore of Lake Vättern. Completed for Sjöängen’s inauguration in 2016, the sculpture group in bronze and granite is a meeting place for students and visitors of all ages – encouraging both play and rest, with a view of the lake.

Insikt – Utsikt, a collaboration between Ann Carlsson Korneev and Viktor Korneev, Askersund.

“Often our works are based on different layers of content, such as allegories and poetry,” says Viktor. “As artists, we live in the process of understanding ourselves, each other and others. To explore our participation in nature, in the world, in the universe, in our time. The works create an inner and outer movement, a presence.”

Fibonacci shell by Ann Carlsson Korneev.

Another intriguing collaboration is the more recent Portal mot himlen (Portal to the sky), completed in 2024 at Norra Kyrkogården in Örebro. The sculpture consists of two pillars of red granite forming an open portal, with the pillars connected by a floating cloud of white granite. The site is a place for meetings, conversations and contemplation, yet without a clear connection to any religion.

Girl full of visions by Viktor Korneev.

“We engage in a dialogue with each other and with the viewer, whom we invite to find their own experience of our works,” says Ann. “Sculpture awaits the audience’s thoughts and feelings. Sculpture gains meaning in the interaction with the viewer. The artist creates a new world and invites the viewer to participate in this process.”

Ongoing exhibitions in Sweden and Denmark

Works by Viktor and Ann are on display at multiple venues, including the outdoor exhibitions at Udden Skulptur in Hunnebostrand and the collective sculpture workshop KKV Bohuslän in Hamburgsund.

The artist couple also welcomes visitors to their own gallery at home in Fjällbacka. “We have visitors coming to see our works, for instance art associations,” says Ann. “Just give us a heads-up, and hopefully we can welcome you to our gallery.”

Portal mot himlen, a collaboration between Ann Carlsson Korneev and Viktor Korneev, Örebro.

See the artists’ work at these ongoing exhibitions:

Udden Skulptur, Hunnebostrand
Outdoor exhibition by the sea, open year round. The international group display includes Viktor Korneev’s The Choice.
uddenskulptur.se

KKV Bohuslän, Hamburgsund
Collective sculpture workshop with a Swedish group exhibition outdoors, available until next summer. It includes works by both Ann Carlsson Korneev and Viktor Korneev.
kkv-b.se

Give Skulpturby, Denmark
Denmark’s largest outdoor gallery is open all year round and presents Viktor Korneev’s Bananrepublik and Autum. www.skulpturby.dk

Dronninglund Kunstcenter, Denmark
Outdoor exhibition, available until 18 October. Showing Ann Carlsson Korneev’s Fibonacci shell and Viktor Korneev’s Ascend. dronninglund-kunstcenter.dk

anncarlssonkorneev.se
Instagram: @anncarlssonkorneev

viktorkorneev.com
Instagram: @korneevvictor