Per Ekros

Per Ekros has been drawing since about 3 years of age. He has always been fascinated by faces, expressions and bodies. Animals are an intrinsic part of his life, and they form naturally and intuitively as the subject matter of his artworks. Per grew up being inspired by wildlife programmes and documentaries by Jaques-Yves Costeau and David Attenborough. His heart lies within the animal kingdom and our consumption of their environments, which impacts him deeply and his work is a reflection of this.

‘I want my pictures to engage and enable us all to reflect on how we treat the animals on our planet and how important they are for our survival. So, maybe we can change some of our natural behaviour and instincts for the better.’

Per Ekros has a daily ritual of sketching, primarily in charcoal and pencil. During his process he gradually begins to scale down and simplify, so the anatomy and characteristics of his subject are refined and reduced with one strong focus.

‘I don't try to paint nature motives naturally, I want some kind of abstraction in my pictures. The backgrounds are patterns and colours, not photorealistic nature. That puts more focus on the leading character in the picture. I just love oil colours, so most of my pictures naturally are oils. I think oil give a lot of experimental freedom and possibility to add new transparent layers on the old ones.

Ink and water is the big exclamation mark in my life and my newest friend. Ink combined with water is an absolutely fantastic medium to be spontaneous with. The polar bears I created for the exhibition King without Kingdom are all, with the exception of one, made with ink and water. As you can't control this process completely, it's fantastic when you lose a bit of control. It's a completely opposite working process compared to oil, and I suppose thats why simply I can't be without it.’

We are delighted to represent the work of Guest Artist Per Ekros exclusively at the Nordic Art Agency.

Artist Biography

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2023 Finalist in Svenska Publishing Prize in the category "coffee table books"

Accepted in Nordvästra Skänes Konstrunda

Big Feet, Solo Exhibition at Galleri Viken

Accepted as member of KRO (Konstnärernas Riksorganisation)

2022 Commission Assignements

2021 Höganäs Museum/ Konsthall JULSALONG

Kungen utan Rike / King without Kingdom, Solo Exhibition at Spritfabrikens Konsthall, Ödäkra

2021 Liljevalchs Varsalone 2021 (jurybedömd)

Liljevalchs Spring Exhibition 2021 (jury selection)

2020 Helt Animal, Separatutställning pä Galleri Viken

Totally Animalistic, Solo exhibition at Galleri Viken

2019 Svart pâ vitt /17: teckningstriennalen, Landskrona Konsthall (jurybedömd)

Black on White /17th drawing Triennial, Landskrona Konsthall (jury selection)

Vär Salong / Kulturhotellet (jurybedömd, jury selection)

2018 Var Salon / Helsingbores Dagblad (jurybedömd, jury selection)

Värsalongen / Krapperups Konsthall (jurybedömd, jury selection)