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This is the mythology of the world organized by mortal
gods with different characters and tasks. It was the
religion of the Germanic tribes that conquered
territories and settled down along the coast of
Scandinavia. They were called Vikings which means people
living at the bays. The laws of life, incorporated in
these religious norms, reassured their survival and
explains why Odin, the highest god was not only the
creator and shaman but also the god of war and warriors.
The religion was necessary for the living conditions of
Vikings whose life often ended at the battlefields or
processions of plunder.
There are different sources on Nordic mythology, most
important are: The Elder Edda, collected poems by
Saemund Sigfuson (1056 -1133) and the Younger Edda,
a poetic work by Snorre Sturluson(1178 - 1241), both
originating from Iceland.
In addition there are several skaldic songs about heroes
and gods and runic stones i.e. stone pictures.
These above mentioned sources have been an important
inspiration for my art. In order to understand the
spiritual world of the people in the North, I also
studied Kalevala, the Finnish national epic poetry as
well as the mythology of the Sami people.
My exhibitions on the Nordic theme were presented in
Sweden, Finland, Poland, USA and Kanada, receiving a
vital interest from media and the public. |
