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A beautiful medieval city surrounded by water and greenery, Stockholm has plenty of appeal, including
thriving food and art scenes. Galleries in the capital promote Swedish talent as well as the works
of many international artists, and often collaborate
on broader cultural projects. From artist-run initiatives to a gallery specialising in photography,
these are ten of the best exhibition spaces and galleries
to sample contemporary art in Stockholm.
Magasin 3 Stockholm Konsthall
Housed in a 1930s warehouse at the capital’s old free port, Magasin 3 Stockholm Konsthall has a
large exhibition area of around 1,500 square metres. It uses this space to present ambitious
shows for mid-career internationally established artists, like
Irish sculptor Siobhán Hapaska. Since its beginnings in 1987, Magasin 3 has also developed a
private collection of over 600 works, including many pieces from
artists it has showcased over the years. Two of its galleries are dedicated to displaying works
from this permanent collection. In the last few years Magasin
3 has further expanded its scope to include lectures, talks and collaborations with other art
institutions as founder members of FACE.
Magasin 3 Stockholm Konsthall, Frihamnen, Stockholm, Sweden, +46 8 545 680 40
Wetterling Gallery
Since opening in 1978 Wetterling Gallery has been leading the way for contemporary art in Scandinavia
. As well as introducing international artists to the local scene, it has also been championing Swedish
artists, with a particular focus on the latest
trends in painting, sculpture and photography. Wetterling Gallery hosts around seven exhibitions
annually, presenting the works of both well-established
and emerging talent. World-famous individuals, such as Pop Art exponent James Rosenquist, have
had recent shows here. The gallery’s founder, Björn Wetterling,
has chaired The Swedish Gallery Association since 2010, and the gallery has been actively
involved in the international art scene, participating in around
four major fairs per year.
Wetterling Gallery, Kungsträdgården 3, Stockholm, Sweden, +46 8 10 10 09
Jean-Baptiste Beranger
Installation view of Artists Anonymous, “ugly = ≠ beauty pretty never”, Wetterling Gallery, 2013 |
Photo by Jean-Baptiste Beranger
Fotografiska
The Art Nouveau building containing Fotografiska, formerly an old customs house, was designed by
acclaimed Swedish architect Ferdinand Boberg. Today, it is home to one of the best photography
museums in Scandinavia. Every year the museum stages between
15 and 20 major exhibitions, which have presented internationally renowned photographers, including
Swedes Helena Blomqvist and Klara Källström.
Photography shows at Fotografiska explore many different themes, such as Roger Ballen’s black
and white depictions of human or animal absurdity, and
Sebastião Salgado’s images of parts of the world that have escaped modern civilisation.
Visitors to Fotografiska can also enjoy after-hours music events and excellent
views of Stockholm from its dining spaces.
Fotografiska, Stadsgårdshamnen 22, Stockholm, Sweden, +46 8 50 900 500
Bonniers Konsthall
Bonniers Konsthall derives its name from the Maria Bonnier Dahlin Foundation, which awards a
grant to a young Swedish artist every year. The latest contemporary art is presented in a varied
exhibition programme of themed group and solo shows.
Artists of international calibre have displayed their works here, and American photographer and
filmmaker Sharon Lockhart is no exception; immersing herself
in foreign communities for long periods of time, Lockhart’s poetic images document the everyday
lives of people who are often overlooked. This educational
quality is reflective of the many activities undertaken by Bonniers Konsthall, which include
collaborating on cultural research projects and art publications.
Furthermore, since opening in 2006, Bonniers Konsthall has amassed its own diverse collection of
works, which are often loaned to museums around the world.
Bonniers Konsthall, Torsgatan 19, Stockholm, Sweden, +46 8 736 42 48
Bonniers Konsthall
Sharon Lockhart, Double Tide, video still, Bonniers Konsthall, 2009 © Sharon Lockhart, 2009 |
Image courtesy of the artist, neugerriemschneider, Berlin, Gladstone Gallery, New York and
Brussels, and Blum & Poe, Los Angeles
Galleri Magnus Karlsson
Founded in 1990, Galleri Magnus Karlsson was originally located in Västerås, a city 100 km west
of Stockholm. It moved to the capital in 1997 after developing a reputation as one of the most
memorable contemporary art galleries in Sweden. Visitors will
find it situated on the ground floor of The Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts, an institution
that plays a supportive role for the country’s artists
and architects. In line with its host institution’s mission, the main focus of Galleri Magnus
Karlsson is to promote emerging national talent. Artists represented
by the gallery work in a wide range of media, from the lifelike watercolours of Maria Nordin,
to the avant-garde installations of Mette Björnberg.
Galleri Magnus Karlsson also participates in international art fairs such as ABC in Berlin
and The Armory Show in New York.
Galleri Magnus Karlsson, Fredsgatan 12, Stockholm, Sweden, +46 8 660 43 53
Galleri Magnus Karlsson
Klara Kristalova, Elephant, glazed stoneware, 65x46x39 cm, 2012 | Image courtesy of Galleri
Magnus Karlsson
Andréhn-Schiptjenko
Scandinavian galleries were starting to develop more of an international approach in the early
1990s when Andréhn-Schiptjenko was founded. Since then, the gallery has outgrown each of its
venues whilst launching the careers of many Scandinavians.
It has also introduced foreign artists, such as Mexican José León Cerrillo whose first
European solo show was at the gallery. The emerging and mid-career
artists represented by the gallery often produce edgy and experimental works, and include
Jacob Dahlgren, who pushes the boundaries of optical art, and Annika
Larsson, whose videos explore human responses to rules, control and ‘the gaze’. Furthermore,
Andréhn-Schiptjenko makes an effort to present these artists at
art fairs, including Art Basel Hong Kong and Zona Maco.
Andréhn-Schiptjenko, Hudiksvallsgatan 8, Stockholm, Sweden, +46 8 612 00 75
Färgfabriken
Since 1995 Färgfabriken has acted as an exciting platform for art, architecture and urban
development. It explores these subjects, and their role in society, through exhibitions,
seminars, discussions and workshops. Färgfabriken’s large exhibition
hall in Stockholm is the venue for shows like the recent retrospective spanning the 50-year
career of the multi-talented Carl Johan De Geer, but
it also hosts concerts, dance performances, and solo shows for winners of the Beckers Art
Award, which champions innovative contemporary art. In addition to
organising national and international exhibitions, Färgfabriken often collaborates on
urban projects in other parts of the world.
Färgfabriken, Lövholmsbrinken 1, Stockholm, Sweden, +46 8 645 07 07
Färgfabriken
Installation view of Carl Johan De Geer ingång, Dystopi, Färgfabriken, 2014 | Image courtesy
of Färgfabriken
Galleri Charlotte Lund
In 1993, after working in the New York art scene, Charlotte Lund opened her own gallery in
Stockholm. In its early years the gallery focused on showing the work of well-established
photographers, but has since broadened its scope to include all
fine art media. In 2009 Galleri Charlotte Lund opened a 200 square-metre exhibition space
at the top of an industrial building in the popular art
district of the capital. In this new location the gallery has hosted many exhibitions,
such as photo and video works by Maria Friberg, one of Sweden’s most
established artists in this field. Friberg’s shows have highlighted modern-day dilemmas,
like new communication technologies leading to increased isolation,
and the feeling of ‘drowning’ in noise pollution.
Galleri Charlotte Lund, 6th floor, Kungstensgatan 23, Stockholm, Sweden, +46 8 663 09 79
Galleri Charlotte Lund
Installation view of Denise Grünstein, Wunder/Winter, 2013 | Image courtesy of Galleri Charlotte Lund
Wip Konsthall
Wip Konsthall is the gallery belonging to Wip:sthlm (work-in-progress), a collaborative
venture involving 93 artists. Their purpose-built space covers two floors comprising 83 artist
studios, a gallery and shops, including a bookshop. Since 2007
Wip Konsthall has presented a programme of cutting-edge exhibitions mostly designed by its
artists, but sometimes in collaboration with outside contributors.
Past shows have displayed experimental and conceptual art, such as Melissa Henderson’s
paintings, sculptures and videos exploring obstacles that prevent
speech and self-expression. Wip:sthlm has also promoted art projects in conjunction with
the Swedish city of Umeå, the 2014 European Capital of Culture, a title
held alongside Riga, Latvia.
Wip Konsthall, Årsta Skolgränd 14 BD, Stockholm, Sweden
Lars Bohman Gallery
The five rooms of the Lars Bohman Gallery display some of the most interesting contemporary
art in Stockholm, where eye-catching sculpture, installations and other media contribute
to thought-provoking exhibitions throughout the year. In 2013 Lars
Bohman Gallery merged with Angelika Knäpper Gallery, continuing its international focus.
Artists represented by the gallery work in a broad range of styles,
from the collage compositions of Hans Andersson, to the atmospheric watercolours of Lars
Lerin, and the amusing cartoon-like paintings of Marie-Louise Ekman.
In the past, the gallery has also hosted shows by world-famous artists, including Louise
Bourgeois, Edvard Munch and Yayoi Kusama.
Lars Bohman Gallery, Karlavägen 9, Stockholm, Sweden, +46 8 20 78 07
By Rebecca Steel
Read More of our Europe Gallery Guides:
Bulgaria | Sofia’s 10 Best Contemporary Art Galleries
Denmark | Copenhagen’s 10 Best Contemporary Art Galleries
England | Liverpool’s Best Cultural Institutions
Europe | The Best Galleries in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia
London | 10 Best Late Events in London’s Museums and Galleries
Montenegro | Montenegro’s Best Contemporary Art Galleries
Poland | Ten Best Contemporary Art Galleries in Warsaw
Scotland | Edinburgh's Best Art Galleries and Museums
Slovakia | The Best Contemporary Art Galleries in Bratislava
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