Mattias Sammekull (born 1972, Stockholm) – is one of Sweden’s most intriguing contemporary figurative painters. His technical craftsmanship is obvious, skills and knowledge gained from many years of thorough studies of the old masters, using time proven methods and materials. The artist's visual language is clearly influenced by northern European baroque and renaissance painters, as well as 20th century surrealism, neoclassicism and contemporary culture.
Sammekull’s realm of motifs always center around the figure, alone or in a group. His work is distinguished by an intense study and deep examination of the human psyche and our universal and fundamental emotions. Tranquility, the sense of a frozen moment in time, is an ever present ingredient in his body of work, as is an electrical charge leaving few unaffected. His figures emerges from both the subconscious and his imagination and the scenes he depicts have roots in memories, emotions and dreams. The others, as Sammekull calls his distorted figures, are recognized by their weak shoulders and big clumsy hands. They exist in an alternative reality, a secluded and inaccessible world not that different from ours. They manage, with their expressive gazes and gestures, and seductive presence, to bridge the distance between the painter’s inner hidden world and the spectator. Solo exhibitions (selection) 2021 Galleri Backlund, Göteborg 2018 Galleri Bergman, Stockholm 2018 Galleri Backlund, Göteborg 2016 Galleri Lorentzon, Stockholm 2015 Galleri Ramfjord, Oslo 2015 Galleri Final, Malmö 2014 Galleri Backlund, Göteborg Group exhibitions (selection) 2024 Kliger Gallery, Lund 2016 Battersea, London 2016 Antikmässan, Stockholm 2015 Museo Europeu d’Art Modern, Barcelona 2015 Mana Contemporary, New York 2012 Palazzo Cini, Venedig, Italien 2010 Landskrona Konsthall 2010 Liljevalchs spring saloon Publications 2013 "The Master and his students", Oslo: Orfeus Publishing, ﴾ISBN: 978‐91‐87543‐04‐3﴿ 2009 "Mer enn Kunst", Oslo: Schibstedt forlag, ﴾ISBN : 978‐82‐516‐2732‐0﴿ Education (selection) RMI Berghs, Stockholm The International school of arts, Stockholm The Art academy, Stockholm Assistant to Odd Nerdrum, Norway |