Hans Bruhner
My 30 years growing up and living in Sweden are an indelible part of who I am and the landscape and above all the folk art are important parts of my background and a constant inspiration as well as Jazz and Blues music.
I started my artistic life as a self-taught photographer with my work published in photography magazines in the 60’s and again in the 80’s. Today I make assemblages from a massive collection of materials, mostly wooden pieces, but also metal, textiles, leather and sometimes my own photos. Most of the stuff comes from flea markets, garage sales, salvage places, antique stores etc. I am the hunter/gatherer always looking; streets, sidewalks, gutters, hoping to score.
I’m most comfortable working with well worn and used wood in all its variations. The warmth of the wood and the form are the essence of the finished piece. A subtle sense of rhythm may permeate some pieces, not always by design.
I think of my work as sculptural. It often depicts animals, real or imagined. A finished assemblage usually consists of only a few components to make the piece complete.
Odd is good.
