Art in Stockholm and Beyond
By Jackson Strelo
School: Davidson College, Class of ’26
Major or concentration: Economics with minor in Data Science
Semester abroad: Fall ’24
Unsurprisingly, the Swedish Program has offered me the unique opportunity to explore the sights and culture of Stockholm and Greater Europe. While Stockholm has its clear draws, it would be a huge fib to say that I didn’t plan on checking off a few other European bucket list items along the way. However, Swedish art and architecture have also greatly (and unexpectedly) made a memorable mark on my semester.
First of all, it doesn’t take any art scholarship nor expertise to enjoy the vibrant, classic architecture of the city. The Program brochures don’t exaggerate how colorful the city is one bit. Just a short train away from SSE campus, there are a variety of sights to enjoy from both out and inside – the Royal Opera, Parliament, Drottningholm Palace, etc. Even the metro (tunnelbana) stops in the city feature colorful patterns, sculpture, or painting.
I was also able to enjoy local exhibits such as Prince Eugen’s Waldemarsudde. Both a museum and royal mansion exhibition, I got lost in Eugen’s personal collection of introspective expressionist drawings and dreamy Nordic oil landscape pieces from Norway’s Lars Hertervig and the Swedish visionary, Frederik Hill. In spite of the abundant visual beauty of my Nordic surroundings, Hertervig and Hill’s artistry further captured and enhanced the sublime and mystic elements of these scapes.
The photography museum (Fotografiska) was also a highlight – Shephard Fairey’s street art exhibit ‘Photo Synthesis’ highlighted his journey as a cultural and political provocateur, fueled by his obsessions with the punk and rock scenes of the 70s and 80s. His fearless pursuit of invention led to influential projects such as the “Obey Giant” campaign or the classic Obama “Hope” portrait sticker.
However, between our two group excursions to the islands Sandhamn and Gotland, there were other opportunities for us to relish the beauty of Sweden. Having spent hardly a week in Sweden, it was warming to see an extension of Stockholm’s color palette pasted across Sandhamn’s web of charming holiday homes (although the Baltic didn’t feel nearly as warm in comparison). The historic streets of Visby were a treat to wander aimlessly. I recall standing quite a while in front of the Cathedral (pictured here), taking in its meticulously crafted spires and the warm colors on amazingly preserved walls and stained glass.
These weren’t my only chances to enjoy Swedish art outside of Stockholm. Just a bus or ferry away were charming destinations such as Uppsala or Vaxholm, where ethereal castles, extravagant cathedrals and eclectic galleries awaited me.
