Berndard Oliver Helmstad

I am a visual artist born in Germany, living and working in Stockholm, I obtained my BFA from the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam and am currently taking my MFA at Konstfack in Stockholm.

My practice is rooted in spatial interventions and sound with a strong focus on the correlations between these two subjects.

My research circles around affect-studies, which I find very interesting in relation to a curatorial practice as I personally see a shift within the art-world and an increase in affectively charged art .

For me, my practice as an artist is very focused within a topic and through research and experimentation I try to push the boundaries of the medium I’m working in. A curatorial practice on the other hand I see as a broader engagement with art, trying to find connections or contrasts within different artist’s practices, creating a channel through which art-works can enhance each other. Giving contemporary relevance to both old and new works and to open up a dialogue between them, rather than a simple presentation of several works.

Previously curated exhibitions at Vondelbunker (Amsterdam), Spaarndammerstraat 460 (Amsterdam), Window-shop-exhibitions at Scheldestraat 12 (Amsterdam) and a residency held at M4 Gastatelier (Amsterdam).