Karl Norin Glasses

Focus, December 18, 2025 January 05, 2026

In a unique process, Swedish artist Karl Norin vacuum-presses synthetic fur against glass in a resin cast. The result is an "object-image” in a state of constant ambiguity, as if Kosuth himself had flattened and compressed the subject and its representation into a single plane.

Glasses is part of a recent series where Norin for the first time introduces metal objects in the works. The instantly recognisable and everyday objects, such as scissors, metal hangers, keys and here glasses, found in the alien landscape acts as remnants of a person, a home, a life. They suggest actions but are also themselves agents that instigate a narrative.

Norin’s artefacts are trapped in time, like a mosquito from another era encased in amber. On their plush polyester topography these personal items are misplaced and adrift - detritus of an absent-minded protagonist that left the scene some time ago.

Karl Norin b. 1982 Fjällbacka, Sweden. Lives and works in Stockholm.

Norin holds an MFA from the Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm. Solo shows include Left at ISSUES (2024); True Crime at ISSUES (2024); Karl Norin at Market Art Fair, Stockholm, Sweden (2022); Justitia at Belenius, Stockholm (2018), and Soosh Soosh… at Bill Brady, Miami, USA (2015). Group shows include Ghost in the Machine curated by Erik Berglin at Galleri Thomassen, Gothenburg (2022); Downtown Issues III at ISSUES, Stockholm (2025); Downtown Issues II at ISSUES, Stockholm (2023); Downtown Issues at ISSUES, Stockholm (2021); ISSUES #4 at ISSUES, Stockholm (2017), Malmö Sessions with Carl Kostyál, Malmö, Sweden (2019); Friends in Need (2016) and Meet Your Maker (2014) at Carl Kostyál, Stockholm, and Swedish Art: Now! at Sven-Harrys konstmuseum, Stockholm (2016). His work is represented in numerous private and public collections such as the SEB art collection.