Art object, “See no evil / Triptych”, carved ash. There is a 17th century carving above a shrine in Nikkō, Japan depicting three monkeys. Each monkey is covering a part of their face – eyes, ears and mouth respectively. The artwork has generated a famous Japanese proverb “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” which has been interpreted as meaning to be of good mind, speech and action.
This series of opaque sunglasses is by Swedish visual artist Tobias Birgersson. He describes how the pandemic has turned his life upside down, both as a craftsperson and as a faculty member at the University of Gothenburg. However, this state of things has now become the new normal. His survival instinct tells him to “see no evil” and to continue to work and do things in life.
Tobias Birgersson (b. 1973) resides and works in Stockholm. He is a senior lecturer at HDK-Valand Academy of Art and Design in Gothenburg. Birgersson is also a co-founder and member of the gallery and workshop collective LOD in Sweden.
PRICE: 14 000 SEK each or 37 000 SEK for the triptych.
Photo: Christian Habetzder.