Elsa Åkesson

Recognised as one of the “rising stars of the future” by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, Elsa Åkesson is an inspiring Swedish and Malagasy artist of the contemporary art scene today. Drawing on her own upbringing in Madagascar and on the power of being a woman, her vibrant works piece together a personal reflection on her home, her culture and womanhood.

If you are interested in Elsa’s work, please email all the enquiries to elsa.akesson@akessongallery.com

About

A substantial body of Elsa’s work addresses her affectionate connection to Madagascar through a series of kids’ portraits. Depicted with torn shirts, suckling the juice out of a mango or simply washing hands in the summer’s heat, her moving works reflect on the innocence and joy of these young sitters and of the childhood itself. Sharing with the world their often joyful, curious and contemplative expressions she strives to communicate the beauty, purity and the familiar nature of the island she is from. A secondary theme of her work explores meaning, psychology and experience of being a woman – an experience that is arguably more personal than any other and one that stems from her own introspective self-reflection. Within this theme she explores the female form through both oil painting and recently sculpture – a medium she is increasingly working more with. Finally, Elsa’s most recent works form a series called ‘Palais du Gouverneur’, as they are all signed by the Governor of Metz and carry a significant meaning.

Within less than one year from graduating University of Arts in London, Elsa has built a very impressive global collector base and her works are constantly exhibited and represented by galleries worldwide. At her most recent exhibition, she featured as the only female and emerging artist alongside works by Miro, Picasso, Max Ernst and Salvador Dali at the International Art Gallery in Marbella.

Bio

Originally from Sweden and Madagascar, Elsa moved to Switzerland at the age of 9 where she went to a boarding school. Elsa’s trajectory towards a career in the arts includes a brave decision to abandon a Business School in Madrid where she studied Business Administration and move to London to pursue her passion for art at the University of Arts. Having previously never imagined just how far her talent can bring her, now being represented by three galleries worldwide, she believes the change of path to be the best decision that she has made. Nevertheless, now a post-graduate student at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, studying an Art Business Master’s she is able to unite the dominating passion for art with that for business after all.