ven Hany Karlsson, now inhis 82nd year, is a legend ofthe Swedish constructionindustry. As founder ofbuilding group Folkhem, his

name is synonymous with dedicationto craftsmanship and practical-yet-beautiful design.

Yet,while building a career that'simpressive by anybody's standards, formore than 35 years Sven Harry was quietlyamassing one of the finest collections of19th Century ordic Art globally.

In true Scandinavian style, the pragmaticand socially conscious entrepreneurdecided it was time to share his particularpassion with his country.An ordinary manmay have settled for an extra line in his willleaving the collection to the state.

Not so Sven Harry. The charismaticand sprightly octogenarian, who hasthe energy and looks of a man 20 yearsyounger, has never been one to do thingsby the book.

SPOTLIGHT ON•••Sweden

Sven Harry's, Konstmuseum risesfrom the ground amid the somewhatincongruous surroundings of Vasaparken(VasaPark) in Stockholm - a city which,until fairly recently, was off the mapfor most Gulf travellers, but is nowserved by direct flights from Emiratesand Qatar Airways.

The edifice is clad in gleaming brass,the same used to mint Sweden's TenKronor coins. A casual observer might betempted to see the building as a glitteringmonument to free enterprise, or a latterday Nero's Golden Palace. Indeed, suchaccusations were levelled at Sven Harrywhen the building was unveiled inMarch 2011.The very concept appearedto fly in the face of Swedish sensibilities.After ail, this is a land that holds dearthe notion of the collective being of fargreater importance than any inclividual.Some of the more reactionary elementsin the Swedish media went so far as toquestion what right one man had to build ~

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SPOTLIGHT ON••• Sweden

and enjoyed his collection andbeautiful home in peace.

Sven Harry has, in a sense,struggled all his life and whiledoing so constantly risen toand created new personalchallenges. It would appear thathis is a restless soul, perhapsmade even more so by a difficultupbringing and fractiousrelationship with his father, thelate Harry F.Karlsson, also asuccessful builder and propertydeveloper. Indeed, Karlsson Snr.

.~~ •••••• was an avid art collector too and,despite a lack of closeness withhis son, appears to have inspiredan ingrained and intuitive...._-..•..•.""""

----'~~---------"""""" love of art. From an early ageSven Harry recalls being mesmerisedby paintings that hung on the walls ofthe farnily home in Lund in the south ofSweden. This was no family idyll however.

When he was eight years old, Karlsson'sparents divorced and the young boystayed with his father. On top of that,Sven Harry struggled with severe dyslexiaat a time when the condition was little, ifat all, understood. He is as ever pragmaticwhen discussing the matter stating,"the great thing about being dyslexic is,according to the experts, that you developother senses. I developed the aestheticside. Beauty has always interested me."His father took him to art exhibitions andchurches so he became used to seeing art.

However he feels about it with the benefitof hindsight, understanding dyslexiabackin the 1930sand 1940swas at best limited.Karlsson's formal academic schooling endedat a tender age in favour of learning thepractical skillsof the building trade.

what seemed to be a self-aggrandisingmonument to himself in the centre of thenation's capital.

Such accusations could not be furtherfrom the truth. "It was time to givesomething back,"Karlsson says without atrace of irony.His superb private collection,which he feared when he was gone/wouldend up gathering dust in the basement ofsome state museum", contains, amongstothers, works byAugust Strindberg, LenaCronqvist, Dan Wolgers andEmst [osephson and is reputedly worthhundreds of millions of Swedish Kronor.

The magnificent award-winning buildingwas entirely funded by Karlsson himself,partly through the sale of his belovedfamily home, the 18th Century Herrgard(Manor House) Ekholmsniis on the idyllicisland of Lidingo outside Stockholm. Theproperty was rumoured to have fetchedupwards of 65 million Kroner, (around$10 million).The final cost of building themuseum was 150million Kroner, morethan $23 million.That's some gift back toyour fellow citizens.

Far from being a monument to avaricethe building, according to Karlsson, isnot only,"a work of art in its own right,"but also most importantly," a silentdemonstration against greed."

Karlsson laughs off suggestions that heshould have saved his money, stayed pu t,

33 MARCH 2014

Platform for budding artistsThe museum's concept was carefullydesigned to be entirely self-financingonce up and running. The space includescommercial premises, 18 residentialapartments, and a restaurant. All rentalincome is ploughed back into the SvenHarry Foundation, The foundation's remitis to encourage up and coming Swedish

artists and designers and awards annualbursaries to successful candidates. SvenHarry's Konstmuseum is spread over sixfloors and hosts numerous temporaryexhibitions often featuring new talent awell as more established artists.

The building was designed by awardwinning Wmgardhs Architects, theglimmering facade the brainchild ofAnna Hoglund. The exterior acts like amagnet and draws in the curious visitor.It is in itself a work of art and, accordingto Museum Director Elsebeth Welander-Bergren, in the early days,"many justcame to see the building because it's sospecial." Many unique elements captivatisuch as beautifully designed yet functioexhibition spaces, high ceilings, glass walthat create an abundance of naturallighand a small cinema in the basement. Thcrowning glory however lies skywards.

On the roof a precise replica of SvenHarry's beloved Ekholmsniis hides behinda low-key facade.Everydetail has beencaptured and here you'll find his collectioof art exhibited just as it was in his privatehome. According toWelander-Bergren themuseum is many things by both design annecessity however/it is the replica of SvenHarry's home and the intimate atmosphenthat creates which makes a visit utterlyunique and a very special experience."

She's right, for in the ordinary setting oa home Sven Harry singularly achievesover-riding goal of, de-mystifying art andde-constructing the notion of high cul ,By inviting the visitor into his house tosee his paintings Sven Harry Karlssondemonstrates that art is for everybody.

When asked what makes a good piece 1art Sven Harry has a simple answer/Soul

On the roof terrace homage is paid toanother Swedish obsession, that of theimportance, poignancy,and transienceof childhood.Lena Cronqvist'sbronzestatues of childrenplayingare perhaps anacknowledgement of SvenHarry's owntroubled upbringing and lost childhoodyears. ot long ago SvenHarry Karlssonwaasked how he'd like to be remembered. Hemodestly replied'As a good builder."Add tothat master craftsmanand art lover.•

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