The significance of ships and boats has always been present in Bertil Vallien’s life and work. Like an imaginary space, he has journeyed through the glass. He sails his boat, seeing men fishing and refugees fleeing for their lives. The similarity of the boat to a seed pod, which could contain any form of life, is intriguing. Bertil captures our curiosity, and if we give the sculpture some time, he makes us participants in the unknown journey that life presents. Fortress Vessel is part of Bertil Vallien’s anniversary collection, “Bertil Vallien: 60 Years with Kosta Boda” (1963–2023), and is handmade at Kosta Glassworks in Sweden with details in real 21-karat gold.
