Svend Wiig Hansen


Svend Wiig Hansen was a Danish sculptor and painter.

Biography

Wiig Hansen was initially undecided about his career, working as a circus clown and a singer until a job requiring his help in the completion of climbing angels convinced him he should become a sculptor. After studying at the Danish Academy under Johannes Bjerg and Einar Utzon-Frank, his early sculptures included his monumental burnt clay Torso inspired by Aristide Maillol and his cement Moder Jord influenced in part by precolumbian sculpture. The gigantic group sculpture of Mennesket ved havet near Esbjerg is inspired by Cycladic art and the figures on Easter Island. Slægt løfter slægt, which was installed for a period on Gammel Strand in Copenhagen, depicts a naked couple bearing a naked woman.
His recognition as a painter began in 1955 with De søgende. His expression is characterized by stark colouring in his depiction of the human body, often set in a desolate landscape. Among his most important works are Menneskeridt, the series Mennesker i forvandling and Jorden græder. His work as a decorator can be seen in Kastrup Church, the central hospital in Herning and in Copenhagen's Royal Theatre with his aluminium Himmelrejsen.

Awards

Wiig Hansen received the Swedish Prince Eugen Medal in 1976 and was awarded both the Eckersberg Medal and the Thorvaldsen Medal but chose not to receive them.