What’s been on your mind lately?
I had a baby a year ago so the last year has been a lot about watching him learn stuff and start becoming a human. Also trying to get time to sleep and keep working in the studio on new shows at the same time. It’s been quiet though and a lot of fun.
Are there backstories that you come up with behind all of your sculptures?
No not really. Usually, the pieces come to me when I start working. I need to feel the clay in my hands to get ideas same thing with 2d works. Need the pencil in my hand to find what I’m looking for.
Instead of a backstory i think my work slowly build up a bigger universe piece by piece and create something I couldn’t put into words.
Do your characters ever show up in your dreams? Do you have crazy dreams?
I wish I had. I almost never remember any dreams. And when I remember them they are usually stress-dreams when I have too much going on.
What’s your favorite television cartoon? Why?
Atm, I don’t really have a cartoon I’m watching. I wish I had! But looking back on different cartoons I think Spongebob is my favorite. The style was so fresh and loved the detailed close-ups.
What’s your earliest memory of making art?
I remember a drawing my 5 year older brother Jakob did of a leopard. I thought it was a masterpiece and tried to copy it. I was really satisfied with the result. Don’t remember how old i was maybe 8. Maybe it’s not the first one I remember but its sticked with me for a long time.
Why did it stick with you?
Maybe because i didn’t think I would be able to make it as good as it turned out. I know i saw it again a few years later and maybe it wasnt as good as I thought when I did it but I still liked it.
What’s the last thing you made that you were really proud of? What made it so special?
I’ve done a big 3meter tall bronze sculpture for my hometown Västerås that’s at the foundry getting ready now and will be installed this fall. It’s part of a bigger group of 7 bronze sculptures for the city. This project has been really special for me, getting to make a group of sculptures that will stand there permanent.
Do you end up keeping everything you make?
Yes I keep almost everything. Some things that I don’t feel for I don’t finish. Bit, not everything gets in the exhibition. Some things stays in the studio and maybe I throw them away a few years later when Im finished with them and don’t feel for them anymore.
Who do you look up to? What is your favorite moment/memory of them
One of the greatest exhibitions I’ve seen last year was Tal R at Artipelag outside of Stockholm. I always been a fan of his work and this was no disappointment. There was a huge amount of human size bronzes and plaster sculptures and a huge wall filled with big drawings filling it up. A great combination of two mediums. He has always been really good at combining playfulness and tactility which I think is kind of rare.
