Review:

The Gallery Owner Wants to Paint Again

Sam Jedig sets up a workshop in Kirke Sonnerup

The new owner of the property housing Kirke Sonnerup Arts and Crafts, Sam Jedig, is looking forward to returning to creating art after many years as a gallery owner.

"I’ve always been able to work a little on my art alongside running the gallery, but now I’ll have more time for my own creations. Although some people think I’m better at presenting others' art," explains Sam Jedig with a smile during a visit to Kirke Sonnerup Arts and Crafts, which, following its change of ownership in July, will be renamed Galleri Kirke Sonnerup.

He has managed galleries in Copenhagen for many years after growing up in Holbæk and Solrød with his artist mother and stepfather, Suss Jedig and Tom Thomsen.

"They both exhibited here, so I’ve been coming here during the summers," says Sam Jedig.

His mother exhibited her fabric collages, while his stepfather displayed his paintings. Their art inspired Sam Jedig to start collecting art himself, purchasing his first piece at the age of 16. Eventually, he also began painting.

"But I also wanted to exhibit art and received a lot of rejections. So, I opened my own gallery in 1982 under the name 'Gallery Jedig.' There, I could control things myself, but most of the exhibitions featured other artists."

Over time, more well-known artists came to his gallery. In 1987, he opened Galleri Nørregade and Galleri Jedigs Kunsthandel. "We had four employees and an opening almost every week. We set up one exhibition after another. And while we received mostly good reviews, there were also some bad ones in between," he explains.

In 1987, Joachim Rodenborg became his partner, and the entire operation was renamed "Stalke Gallery." However, the partnership only lasted a year.

"We focused on conceptual art – installation art, photographic art, and artists who moved away from painting. In 1991, we opened 'Stalke Out of Space,' through which we’ve also helped the Contemporary Art Museum in Roskilde find exhibitors," explains Sam Jedig.

After promoting art abroad, Sam Jedig began to feel restless. "Something has to be happening around me. But another side of me craves continuity."

"I’ve taken inspiration from Gunnar Örn from Iceland. I bought my first painting from him in 1974. He lives, works, and runs a gallery in the same place, far from Reykjavik, at the foot of Mount Hekla. It’s probably the best gallery in the world. And I wanted to find a similar place for myself," he says. "That’s how I ended up finding Kirke Sonnerup Arts and Crafts."

Now he’s moving in with his wife, Lone Wulff, and their daughters, Marie (6) and Amalie (10), after renovating the property.

"With respect for its historical significance, we’ll preserve it as an art venue and host exhibitions of a reasonable standard but for a broader audience. Art isn’t much more expensive than posters, so I’d like to teach people how to buy art," he explains. "For example, we have one of Denmark’s largest graphic art collections, featuring materials from 100 Danish artists."

Sam Jedig also plans to showcase his own work in Galleri Kirke Sonnerup. The main hall will serve as a permanent exhibition space, with plans for two fixed annual exhibitions and a Christmas opening.

"I’ll need to showcase quality art to attract people, but at the same time, I want to remain open to local artists. However, quality will always be the priority," he emphasizes.

He also plans to offer lectures on art and similar events in the gallery for businesses and associations. "In time, I’d like to establish a supporting organization for the gallery, similar to sponsors for larger events. Almost all our exhibitions in Copenhagen are sponsored. Producing catalogs is very expensive, but I hope this will stimulate cultural life in the area," he says.

For now, the focus is on renovations, so there’s no set date for the first exhibition.

Sam Jedig’s long-time partner in the galleries since 1994, Kim Bendixen, will manage the Copenhagen division, while Jedig himself will oversee Stalke Out of Space from Kirke Sonnerup.

"My mission is to share what’s interesting in this world. I don’t just want to follow trends. By opening up for discussion, we can also show broader perspectives," says Sam Jedig, the new owner of Galleri Kirke Sonnerup.

Riv

Dagbladet 4.7.2001