Thomas Karlsson: Gam

Have you seen the vulture sitting high up in one of the corridors on the ground floor of the main building on Sveavägen 65? The vulture surveys all who pass beneath it.

The artwork, Gam (Vulture) from 2015 by the artist Thomas Karlsson is made in paper and wood. It is made with inspiration from the Japanese craft technique of origami, a method of folding paper into three-dimensional objects. The pattern is processed by the artist into photo collages that are then transferred to the paper. Karlsson is known for figurative animal sculptures placed in public and semi-public spaces across Sweden.

Vultures are among nature's most misunderstood creatures. Far from being mere symbols of death, they are essential ecosystem engineers — nature's cleanup crew. Without them, carcasses would accumulate, spreading disease and toxins. They are highly efficient, remarkably intelligent master strategists. They are precise. Wastes nothing. Do not rush. They circle, assess, and descend only when the time is right.

Thomas Karlsson, born 1964, is a Swedish artist. He trained at Nyckelviksskolan in Stockholm and at the Royal Institute of Art (Kungliga Konsthögskolan) (1991–1997). He is a lecturer (adjunkt) at Konstfack in Stockholm. 

He is also known for his public art commissions. In January 2016 he was selected to create an artwork for one of the new planned metro stations in the Stockholm region: Nacka centrum (Karlsson has made a giant elephant head in bronze). Some of his other notable works include Giraffen (aluminium, 2015) at Riddarplatsen in Jakobsbergs Centrum in Järfälla, Årsta Zoo (concrete, 2008) at Årsta torg in Stockholm, and Easy Rider (2004) at KTH.

Donation by Gustaf Slettengren

Sculpture, collage in paper and wood, 35 x 65 cm.