Erik Sigerud is a Swedish visual artist born in Borlänge, Sweden, in 1977. He currently resides and works in Stockholm. Sigerud studied at the Beaux-Arts de Paris, graduating in 2004 with a Diplôme national supérieur d’arts plastiques (Dnsap), equivalent to a Master of Fine Arts (MFA).
In his paintings, Sigerud combines figuration and non-figurative elements through multiple layers. His artworks portray dystopian scenes featuring places, people, and abstract fragments, reflecting the culture and societal norms he encounters. He explores the reciprocal relationship between culture, individuals, and their creation of one another. Sigerud connects social interactions with global trends and examines how politics and emotions intersect.
For Sigerud, painting serves as a tool for reflection. He explores the connection between understanding culture and personal identity. His work delves into abstract concepts, such as the distinction between reality and appearance. He aims to depict embodied thinking that can resonate and create meaning within viewers. Sigerud incorporates symbols that actively engage spectators, aiming to communicate cultural tendencies, regardless of their knowledge of the artist or the painting’s context.
Sigerud’s motivation lies in making existence tangible. His paintings explore the gaps between collective narratives and subjective perceptions. He believes that to understand ourselves and navigate the world, we construct mental images. When exposed to alternative places, fresh stories, and new people, these mental images are reconstructed. Sigerud’s paintings represent wordless mental images, addressing his concerns about fascism and climate change. He investigates the emotions that contribute to mental and collective imagery, as well as their role in driving political change.
Erik Sigerud has held numerous solo and group exhibitions in Sweden and internationally. His artwork has garnered various awards and can be found in both private and public collections, including those of the Swedish state, Tyresö, and Uppsala Konstmuseum.
