Collection: Happiness

“The original idea for Happiness came from a visit to a church in Harlem, New York, during the 80s, where we listened to gospel. The performers, draped in purple robes, were the biggest people I had ever seen, yet they moved with incredible grace as they danced. Never stumbling, like floating angels. They loved themselves and were filled with the joy of life. My memory of these women and their shape has stayed with me ever since. I was then in Båstad, people-watching. As a morning person, I arrived early, and all I could see were these large ladies. I made them even bigger, and they have started doing different things, like aerobics, taking on a life of their own. I’ve always enjoyed building scenes with my art, like staged performances, where the sculptures are the artists. Happiness was originally created for an exhibition in Stenungsund, Sweden, which was about an incredibly popular beach” – Kjell Engman