Education
Born in Hässleholm in the south of Sweden, he moved to Denmark in 1965 where he studied at the Jutland Art Academy in Aarhus from 1967 to 1971.
Born in Hässleholm in the south of Sweden, he moved to Denmark in 1965 where he studied at the Jutland Art Academy in Aarhus from 1967 to 1971.
He has gained a unique place in Danish art with his dark monumental works, often presenting an eerie confrontation between modern technology and the primitive past Until the early 1980s, inspired by environmental art form America, his spectacular works revealed his fascination with conflict and provocation and his contempt for convention. An early example was Koncert for en hjemmeværnsmand (Concert for the Home Guard, 1969) featuring live chickens with lamps strapped to their backs.
In 1979, he presented chairs draped with pigskin and a parasol with swastikas.
The Gate (1988) presents an infernal machine of steel, sound, light and movement, representing a confrontation with death. The direct confrontation of work and nature is also apparent in his gigantic Elia (1989-2001) in Herning, conceived as a fire-spitting temple of dark steel.
His fascination with machines also produced works with animal bones, bird wings and skin, juxtaposing nature with culture and creating visions combining primitive elements with modern technology. Cronhammer stands alone in Danish culture with his huge monumental, machine-like works which he has created with dark materials such as mahogany, steel and rubber.
They can be found both in museums and as public works across the country.