Sigfrid Billgren
At The Ode To we are always curious to learn more about creativity and artistry, so we asked Stockholm-based artist Sigfrid Billgren to tell us about his life, his art and his sources of inspiration.
What do you call your series of paintings?
– The series of paintings that I’ve made for The Ode To is called Soft Lines, because I wanted them to have a softer vibe than the paintings I usually make.
What technique have you used?
– I paint with acrylic on panel. I have particularly selected panel because I feel the straight lines much better, and I like the stiffness that it offers. The paint also lasts longer on panel in comparison to canvases.
What inspires you?
– I don't have a specific go-to-place to get inspired. But on the other hand, I’m inspired by everything I guess; I see different shapes and combination of colors in the city, I read magazines and I watch the work of other artists.
Photo: Jenny Forsberg
Can you tell us about your background and how you came to be an artist?
–The funny thing is that I've always said I'm not going to be an artist, since both my parents are. But that turned out to be a promise that I would break. It all started with my design at udiso studio, and my version of timeless craftsmanship. That became the starting point for my artistic career and now I can't seem to stop painting.
How would you describe your art and aesthetics in three words?
"Abstract, physical & playful."
Can you name an artist, or other creative, that you admire?
– Axel Kargel and Brad Howe are two very different artists that inspire me. I think it’s their opposite way of working that I like; Axel was a calm and gentle artist with his colouring. Brad Howe on the other hand, doesn't have calmness in his repertoire. To me, this combination raises questions and questions makes me inspired.
WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT SIGFRID BILLGREN:
Timeless yet utterly contemporary: the paintings that Sigfrid Billgren creates have a distinct and bold expression that we will never ever get tired of.
