artist
Kjell Ekström
- Finland, 1961
The Ålandic artist Kjell Ekström follows an old tradition in the visual arts when he brings his watercolour box on his trips abroad. In the 18th century, the painted veduta - the view captured on paper - began to act as a precursor to today’s postcards. Despite cameras and digital images, many artists still use painting to sharpen their gaze in a new and strange environment. Kjell Ekström’s painting is a process, he rarely works directly before the subject. The visual impressions are processed, interpreted and expressed on paper or canvas. During the 2000’s he has published several watercolour books where we can follow him on trips in, among other places, South America and Asia. The Ålandic nature and the homeland are also an important source of inspiration.