Nike

Artist: Owe Pellsjö
Year created: 1989
Sculpture: Bronze

Here you will discover both history and art. How was it that a park in Jönköping was named after Olof Palme, and how did the artwork Nike come to be here?

In 1987, a member of the city council proposed that Olof Palme be honoured in Jönköping. The proposal was to name a street or square after him. Two locations were discussed: Hotellplan and Hamnplan. Since both have historical significance, the municipality chose instead to name a small park north of Västra Torget after him: Olof Palmes Plats.

Several artists submitted proposals for works of art for the site. The municipality chose Owe Pellsjö’s sculpture Nike, which was inaugurated on 1 May 1989.

Nike is a two-metre-high bronze figure with wings. The sculpture is inspired by the ancient statue Nike of Samothrace, which represents the Greek goddess of victory. The work expresses both strength and lightness – the body leans powerfully forwards, while the wings give an airy and free impression.

The front is smooth and engraved with a motif of peace: two upraised arms releasing a dove. The back has a rough surface reminiscent of the bark of a tree.

Owe Pellsjö was born in Jönköping in 1937 and died in Sölvesborg in 2011. He worked as a painter, graphic artist and sculptor. He studied at Konstfack (University of Arts, Crafts and Design) in Stockholm and the Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid. During the 1950s he travelled to France and Spain. For a time he lived in Barcelona, but he later returned to Sweden and moved to Norrköping. From 1972 he lived in Sölvesborg. Owe Pellsjö’s works are on display at Moderna Museet in Stockholm and Kalmar Art Museum.