Niklas
Asker

Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?

I live and work in Malmö in the south of Sweden, just across the water from Copernhagen, Denmark.

Where is your studio located & how does it look?

My studio is located in the outskirts of the city on Industrtigatan (Industrial Street). As it sounds like, this is a part of town that used to be only industries and storages but is slowly swallowed up by the ever growing city center, new (and expensive) residential buildings popping up every year. We’re about 40 artists in my building, an old calculator factory. It’s a great community to be a part of but our lease is running out soon so we’ll see how long we get to stay. We are in conversation with the city about the importance of cheat studios for Malmö’s many artists.

Are there any projects that are personally important to you—whether recently completed or currently in progress?

I’m always working on something. A highlight of 2025 was a solo show at Arnstedt Gallery, my first one in in Sweden in about 5 years! At the moment I’m working on works for Frieze New York in May with my London gallery Union Pacific and a very exiting and secret project for 2027.

Do you have a favorite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?

That’s an easy one. Kallbadhuset is a 100 year old cold bath house out in the ocean with saunas and a great restaurant. Nothing beats sitting in the sauna on a rainy day, watching the boats go by and Copenhagen on the other side of the water. That’s bliss.

Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?

From an artists perspective, things are getting more and more expensive. Malmö used to be an Industrial city. It’s not anymore and the politicians choose to market it as this growing hub for culture and art in Southern Sweden. The city is growing fast now and politicians need to stand by their word and give art enough space and money to be a ble to live and grow with the city.

In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years—and what has not?

I think there is a great vision for this city, to develop from grey Industrial hub to flowering cultural capital. And a lot has happened since I moved here 25 years ago. But one thing that hasn’t evolved is the gallery scene, which is just about non existent. There are a lot of artists but no galleries (with two exceptions; Galleri Ping-Pong and Galleri Thomas Wallner) and everyone here is showing their work somewhere else. I don’t know, maybe Malmö is too small, but there should be something the city could do to make it more attractive to run a gallery space here.

Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers—whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?

There are many very local companies working in the city. The first one that comes to mind would be Malmö Chocolate Factory that are housed in a very old candy factory (Mazetti, a company that was sadly sold to finish Fazer in the 1990’s). That’s wortn a visit!

Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?

I think generally both people and companies tend to think more outside the box here in Malmö. In Stockholm for example, things are more fixed both politically and financially but in a city like Malmö, going thought this big change as a city, there is still this feeling of anything being possible (and the relatively low rents help).

Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?

For some reason there are A LOT of good restaurants here. I don’t go out much (small kids) but when I do I love Mutantur (fancy), just across the street from where I live. Or Restaurang Möllan (relaxed), a place that’s been around for about 40 years since it was started by my uncle. For a few years I basically lived there, me and my friends going every night after a long day of painting in the studio, back when I still had that kind of time and the beer was cheaper.

Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?

Isn’t everything online these days? No, but I’d go walking and check out all the antique shops around Davidshall square for sure if I wanted to find a local gem.

What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?

Instagram for sure. I hate a lot of what Meta is doing but that app has done a lot for my career, no doubt about that. Spotify for music (but thinking about switching). I constantly listen to music in the studio while working. And a weather app (to know what clothes to put on my kids in the morning!)

Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?

I keep up to date with mostly Dagens Nyheter and The New York Times. Sydsvenskan for local stuff. But I really don’t keep up to date that well. I’m working all the time.

Imagine you could be mayor for a year—what would you change?

Oh wow. Free public transport, free museums and more money for arts and culture, in all areas of the city, not just for rich people.

One last question: If you could choose another place to live—regardless of financial or time constrains—which one would you choose?

Easy. New York. I love the city. A part of me has been wanting to move there for 20 years but I also know that I would hate it after about 3 years and would want to leave. That city is amazing, but too much to live in. I need more peace and quiet.