What are parents allowed to do to their children? In an extensive solo exhibition at Kalmar konstmuseum, Anna Odell presents a brand new work in which she asks uncomfortable questions about parents’ power over their children. 

In the new film work Makten och barnet [The Power and the Child], artist Anna Odell asks her son if he wants to make a film with her. They act together with two life-size dolls that represent themselves. At first, the son thinks it’s fun to be involved, but he soon gets tired when it’s no longer about free play on his terms. Then the artist needs to use different methods to get the child to do what she wants. 

As the first art institution after Konstfack, Kalmar konstmuseum exhibited Anna Odell’s breakthrough work Kvinna okänd, 349701 in 2009. Now she returns with Makten och barnet, which was partly filmed at and near Kalmar konstmuseum. The exhibition with the same title is a broad presentation that also includes works such as Rekonstruktion – Psyket from 2024 and Haverikommission from 2013. 

The work Makten och barnet is co-produced by Anna Odell and Kalmar konstmuseum with support from the Swedish Artists’ Council, Filmregion Sydost and Cecilia Hillström Gallery.