Sculpture "Elis i Tasere"

"Elis i Taserud" by Herman Reijers

Elis Eriksson was a cabinetmaker, businessman, and a locally appreciated humourist. Together with his brothers Ola, Christian, and Karl, he ran the Eriksson Brothers' Furniture Workshop in Taserud, founded by their father. With his sharp business acumen and natural gift for talking to people, Elis managed the company’s affairs, acted as treasurer, and handled sales. He was often seen cycling around the area and was well known for his witty remarks, coming across as an eccentric yet friendly and sociable character.

Artist: Herman Reijers

Herman Reijers was a Dutch-born artist who brought colour and life to the art scene of Värmland. He created numerous sculptural works across Värmland and the rest of Sweden. One of his more famous pieces is Sola i Karlstad – a depiction of a cheerful waitress that has become a symbol and trademark of the city of Karlstad. The statue stands by the river Klarälven outside the city hotel, welcoming visitors. A particularly respectful and telling detail of Herman’s work is the casting of the wheels from Elis’s bicycle – a gesture that speaks to both the artist’s sensitivity and his attention to character.