Original English version of the Letter of Appeal by Marie Sjöberg (image no. 1)

Dear Friend,

The independent and non-commercial art laboratory Galerie S:t Petri in Lund, Sweden, is now in its ninth year of activity, having become internationally recognized as a result of exhibiting and supporting a very large number of contemporary artists from all parts of the globe.

Despite its now excellent facilities — five exhibition rooms plus living accommodation for visiting artists and an important archive — the Swedish authorities have refused to provide a minimum subsistence for Jean Sellem, who has carried on the gallery with all its cultural activities since the start in 1971 without any remuneration or economic support for his existence.

We trust you will express your protest against this situation by signing the enclosed petition — together with any of your friends interested in the contemporary arts — and returning it to us as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Marie Sjöberg
Galerie S:t Petri
Box 1507
221 01 Lund
Sweden
January 4, 1980

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Original English version of the Petition to the Swedish Government and Authorities Responsible for Swedish Cultural Affairs (image no. 2)

Eight Years Unpaid Work for Art in Sweden

We, the undersigned, protest against the refusal of the Swedish authorities to provide the minimum subsistence necessary to support Jean Sellem’s non-commercial, independent work for the contemporary arts at Galerie S:t Petri, Lund, Sweden. We note that this refusal constitutes a clear breach of the declared policy of the Swedish government’s support for the arts and flies in the face of competent academic opinion both in Sweden and abroad.

Name	Title	Address	Date

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English translation of the Letter of Appeal by Marie Sjöberg (image no. 3)

To artists and writers in Scandinavia

Nearly nine years ago, Jean Sellem founded the experimental idea and art laboratory Galerie S:t Petri in Lund and has since then run it strictly non-commercially — that is, without any sales — a unique phenomenon in Sweden. It is a meeting place outside institutions and commerce, for creative people.

Only after six years of intensive activity and nine months of controversy with the local politicians did the gallery receive the support of all political parties in Lund, which has meant that about three-quarters of the rent are now covered. After appealing to the Minister of Education last year, the gallery received a one-time grant from a foundation, partly for repairs and partly for certain fixed expenses.

Over these years, however, Jean Sellem has tirelessly worked to animate this experimental and avant-garde art environment, internationally respected as an idea and art laboratory, and has depended entirely on friends for his survival.

The time has now come to protest against the fact that Swedish cultural authorities — who claim to support and encourage non-commercial initiatives, experimental ideas, and research — have not, according to democratic rules, found a legal way to make room for art that is not directly subordinate to the state. Consequently, Jean Sellem has been unable to obtain any form of economic security.

Despite recommendations from prominent cultural figures that Jean Sellem be granted a state income guarantee, and despite the fact that his case is known to both the State Arts Council and the Artists’ Board, he still finds himself in the same precarious situation — that is, he has nothing to live on.

Hundreds of well-known academics, artists, and writers from various countries have already sent their signatures in protest against the Swedish state’s failure to find an appropriate form of economic security. Jean Sellem believes that he is not only speaking for himself but for all artists who reject the idea of becoming civil servants or art dealers.

I would be grateful if you too would sign the enclosed petition.

Kind regards,
Marie Sjöberg
Galerie S:t Petri – Archive of Experimental and Marginal Art
Box 1507
221 01 Lund 1

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English translation of the Petition to the Swedish Government and Authorities Responsible for Swedish Cultural Affairs (image no. 4)

To the Swedish Government and Authorities Responsible for Swedish Cultural Affairs

Eight Years Unpaid Work for Art in Sweden

We, the undersigned, protest against the refusal of the Swedish authorities to provide the minimum subsistence necessary to support Jean Sellem’s non-commercial, independent work for the contemporary arts at Galerie S:t Petri, Lund, Sweden. We note that this refusal constitutes a clear breach of the declared policy of the Swedish government’s support for the arts and flies in the face of competent academic opinion both in Sweden and abroad.

Name	Title	Address	Date