Astrid Sylwan
Astrid Sylwan, born on December 25, 1970, in Antwerp, Belgium, is a prominent Swedish painter celebrated for her vibrant, large-scale abstract works. She resides and works in Stockholm, Sweden.
Education and Early Career
Sylwan’s artistic journey involved several preparatory studies:
• Gerlesborg School of Fine Art: One year of study.
• Birkagården Folk High School: Two years focusing on painting and sculpture.
• Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts and Design, Stockholm: Earned a Master’s degree in Fine Arts between 2001 and 2005.
Additionally, she pursued studies in art history, cultural geography, and aesthetics at Stockholm University and Uppsala University.
Artistic Style and Recognition
Sylwan is renowned for her abstract, colorful, and large-scale paintings. Her work emphasizes the physicality of color, applying it with broad brushes, knives, or by pouring, creating dynamic textures and layers. Her approach has positioned her as one of Sweden’s leading contemporary artists. (GSA)
Her art is featured in several notable public collections, including:
• Moderna Museet, Sweden.
• Statens Konstråd (Public Art Agency Sweden).
• Malmö Konstmuseum, Sweden.
• Borås Konstmuseum, Sweden.
• Dunkers Kulturhus, Helsingborg, Sweden.
• Norrköpings Konstmuseum, Sweden.
• Eskilstuna Konstmuseum, Sweden.
• Västerås Konstmuseum, Sweden.
• Skövde Konstmuseum, Sweden.
• Sörmlands Museum, Sweden.
• Stockholm Konst, Sweden.
• Pernod Ricard Corporate Collection, France.
• Vida Konsthall och Museum, Sweden.
• Ståhl Collection, Sweden.
Exhibitions and Public Commissions
Sylwan has exhibited extensively across the Nordic region and internationally. Notable solo exhibitions include:
• “Hon känner värmen i marken hon går på och alla haven som hon simmar i”, Dalslands Konstmuseum, Åsensbruk, Sweden (2020). (Dalslands Konstmuseum)
• “Eremiten, narren och de älskande”, Galleri Andersson/Sandström, Sweden (2019).
• “Dagen fick en annan ton”, Helsinki Contemporary, Finland (2019). (Helsinki Contemporary)
Her public artworks are significant, including:
• “Ramble and Roam”: A 30-meter-long ceramic wall under Holmsundsvägen near Umeå Östra Station, Umeå, Sweden (2010).
• “Landmarks”: Nacka Stadshus, Nacka, Sweden (2011).
• Citybanan Project: Contributed to the Stockholm City Line railway project with large-scale artworks (2017).
Awards and Grants
Throughout her career, Sylwan has received several prestigious awards and grants, including:
• Konstnärsnämnden’s Working Grant: Multiple times.
• Bærtling Foundation Grant (2006).
• Jörgen Fogelquist’s Grant (2008).
• Trafikverkets Arkitekturpris for the public commission “Ramble and Roam” (2013).
• Elle Interiörs Designpris, category: Årets Textil (2012).
• Stora Kakelpriset (Swedish Tile Award) for the public commission “Ramble and Roam” (2011).
Recent Activities
Sylwan continues to be active in the art scene, with recent exhibitions such as:
• “När jag slutar mina ögon ser jag allt”, Bror Hjorths Hus, Uppsala, Sweden (2022).
• “Lilla Galleriet”, Flaménska Galleriet, Borås, Sweden (2021).
• “VARSNA”, Teatergrillen, Stockholm, Sweden (2021).
Her work continues to influence and inspire the contemporary art landscape in Sweden and beyond.