Well, all questions are probably valid. What is it that drives me? The truth is probably that it is the family ties, the tradition and the ancestors of the old Gästgivaregården that haunt the foundation. My great-grandfather started that business in 1884, i.e. 110 years before the Art Gallery opened. Well - in any case, I grew up in a small "boarding house" where my parents, Magda and Sten-Hugo, saw it as one of their main tasks to see their only child as a well-behaved parvel who was polite, willing to give, bowed deeply, had a firm grip, cut the grass, wiped the dishes, had eyes in the back of his neck, etc., etc. This certainly contributed to the fact that when I looked into the future, it was not in Hishult that I would end up, but as far away as possible (in the perspective of a Hishultspåg). Now it happened that I became interested in art, above all in being a participant in the production of graphics for artists. This led to me building and starting a small screen printing company in the early 80s here on the property in Hishult with the ambition of becoming a very good printer who could work with most artists. The parents' home, Gästgivaregården, became an important hub in the whole process. The artists seemed to feel good in Hishult, good food, nice company, and besides, they got their task done and went home with a fresh graphic edition. Sometimes I wondered if it was my work or my parents' care that was more alluring. Either way, it was a combination that worked. For my own part, after a while I wanted to get a little further in the artistic process – I wanted to try my hand at the exhibition business, build a new premises where I could show what we achieved in the printing house.
The fantasies ran rampant in the euphoric late 80s and early 90s. I then met the architect and artist Maria Schad, who had recently designed an Art Hall in Hishult. When I saw these "unreal" drawings, well then I was completely sold - this project was going to be done.
The rest is a story that we are now in the middle of and whose development has probably/hopefully not seen an end! Of course, there is so much more to tell and hopefully there will be more at a later date! Welcome to Hishult, to experience and relax, enjoy and rejoice here at Gästgivaregården and the Art Gallery - it makes us all happy!
Greetings Kjell Åke Gustafsson
