• Nicklas Randau

    Written by Art & Culture

    Originally from Skåne, Nicklas Landau is an abstract painter based in Malmö. The artist mainly relies on oil paint, using tools but also his hands to create his pieces. In order to achieve his desired effects he will work for extended durations, becoming immersed in his art work.

    What are you working on right now? /Tell us about your exhibition during Stockholm Art Week?
    I am working with a series of abstract images that I think are a bit like courtyards - you need a key and it takes a while before you as a viewer get access inside and can wander around there. The key in many cases is time and to some extent interest and patience. During Stockholm Art Week I will show oil paintings as well as works on paper.    

    What inspired you to become an artist, and how has your artistic journey evolved over time?
    I saw a feature film about the American painter Basquiat when I was 13 and bought paint and canvas the very next day. It was powerful to find something that could be creative and questioning at the same time as it was healing and therapeutic.   

    What is your creative process like, and how do you approach developing new ideas and concepts for your work?
    The creative process goes on, in a sense, around the clock. Information and experiences are gathered all the time and then processed on an intuitive level in the studio. Sometimes I have no idea why I'm painting something, but afterwards I can understand and kind of feel it - a bit like a dream that can take a while to decipher. Literature, film and music have a big impact but I can't explain how it happens.    

    Can you tell me about a specific artwork or series of works that are particularly meaningful to you and why?
    The drawings of the Swedish painter Carl Fredrik Hill are the first that come to mind, they are raw, childish, direct, imaginative and often extremely strange and beautiful.   

    What do you think of Stockholm as an art city?
    It seems to be vivid and alive again after the pandemic!

    Do you have a favorite Swedish Artist?
    I have tons of favorites but If I have to name only one I would say Åke Göransson has had a big impact on my own work.

    Do you have a favorite bar or restaurant in Stockholm?
    I live in Malmö but when I'm in Stockholm I like to visit Lao Wei for food, the Mediterranean Museum's cafe (drinking coffee overlooking several thousand year old sculptures and ceramics has a certain feeling) and then I think the bar Lochness is fun with its small batches of Czech pilsner!

  • Saskia Neuman

    Written by Art & Culture

    Saskia Neuman Gallery represents Nordic and internationally based artists. The exhibition program reflects a strong focus on early and mid-career artists, often previously not exhibited in Sweden’s commercial gallery sphere. In addition, the gallery hosts a variety of happenings, including talks, performances and other events.

    What are you working on right now? / Tell us about your exhibition during Stockholm Art Week?
    I opened Saskia Neuman Gallery in September 2022. The gallery’s program is focused on introducing already established artists to the Stockholm contemporary art sphere as well as premiering early/young artists. We’re opening Swedish artist Harry Anderson’s (b. 1986) first solo exhibition in Stockholm; The Flesh is Weak — Köttet är svagt a week before Stockholm Art Week. Harry show introduces an array of new work, ceramic sculptures, primarily busts, as well as a few other surprises. For Stockholm Art Week we’re hosting a special gallery breakfast on the 13th of May, together with several of the neighboring galleries. We open at 10am, the artist will be present and there will be croissants and coffee for all.

    What do you think of Stockholm as an art city?
    Stockholm is incredible for contemporary culture overall, especially art. In the recent years several galleries have opened, along with interesting project/artist-run spaces. There is constantly something new to see. Lately I feel there is a new energy when visiting exhibitions, whether at a commercial gallery or an institution — audiences are hungry and excited.
     

    Do you have a favorite Swedish Artist?
    I have stopped playing favorites — there are so many. Obviously, the artists the gallery represents are wonderful. My goal is to create and maintain a program that really peaks audiences’ interest… creating a space for discovery and making contemporary art accessible, while insisting on an ambitious program.

    Do you have a favorite bar or restaurant in Stockholm?
    Bar - Svallerhörnan or Tudor Arms… I also like Schmaltz.
    Restaurant - Formosa, great Chinese food in Gamla Stan (The Old Town).
     

  • Image courtsey CFHILL

    Art Week

    Written by Art & Culture

    This year's edition of Stockholm Art Week takes place between May 9th-14th. The purpose is to unite Stockholm's art scene and highlight Stockholm as a vibrant art city and Sweden as an art destination. The city's museums, institutions, galleries, and other actors in the art industry come together during this week.

    On Tuesday, May 9th, at 5:00 pm, the Stockholm Art Week will be inaugurated by Minister of Culture Parisa Liljestrand. The inauguration takes place at Hospitalet, with Stefan Hagdahl, head of Stockholm Konst, and Joanna Sundström, head and initiator of Stockholm Art Week, also in attendance.

    “Without art, we go crazy, and I am convinced that art and culture are needed for an open, curious, and functioning society.” - Joanna Sundström

    The Nordic region's leading contemporary art fair, Market Art Fair, takes place at Liljevalchs and expands its exhibition area to Spritmuseum. Across the water, the Supermarket art fair flexes its muscles and moves into Stadshusterminalen. Moderna Museet has a vernissage for Monica Sjöö, while Carl Elds Ateljémuseum opens its summer exhibition with Ingela Ihrman.

    Among the galleries, we see vernissages with Jim Torell at Loyal Gallery and with Sarah Crowner at Nordenhake. CFHILL opens the exhibition “Have a Nice Day,” curated by Sophie Mörner from Company Gallery, as well as a solo exhibition with A KASSEN. On Saturday, the galleries of Östermalm, Andréhn-Schiptjenko, Saskia Neuman Gallery, Odem Atelier, Carling Dalenson Gallery, Public Service, and Galleri Glas invite guests to breakfast viewings. Galleri Sebastian Schildt has a vernissage for its group exhibition “L'heure Bleue” and offers several artist talks.

    The artist initiative Black Iris moves into Castellum's premises in the old Gasverket on Torsgatan and arranges the exhibition “Explosive Vison.” A “home exhibition” is shown at stockholmmodern with Lotta Antonsson. Svenska Brasserier sets up vernissages at almost all of its restaurants. At Alma, the Danish gallery V1 Gallery opens an exhibition with Lulu Kaalund as well as Fredrik Nystrup & Oliver Sundqvist.

    This is a selection from the week. The calendar in its entirety can be found on the Stockholm Art Week website and is continuously updated.

    Stockholm Art Week is a non-profit association, and this year's partners who make the week possible are Castellum, Soho House, Alma, Champagne Deutz, Porsche, ISH, ArtMove, and Transart

    Image courtsey Sebastian Schildt
    Image courtsey Sanna Fried
    Image courtsey Färgfabriken
    Image courtsey Riche Fenix
     

Pages