Malin Östberg ^{Emerging artist}

Artist's country of origin: Sweden

Malin Östberg is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans painting, installation, sculpture, textiles, enamelling, and performance. Originally identifying as a painter, her studies at Umeå Academy of Fine Arts marked a pivotal shift in focus—from materiality to storytelling. Today, narrative lies at the core of her work, which explores themes of relationships, the body, integrity, solidarity, and freedom of choice. These subjects often arise from political contexts, current events, and personal memory, transforming in her hands into visual expressions of surrealism and, at times, absurdity.

Collaboration is a vital part of Östberg’s artistic process, as is the use of her own body as a tool—an approach that deepened during her time in Umeå. Her work is rooted in both individual experience and shared histories, creating layered, emotionally resonant narratives.

Her most significant project to date is her MFA graduation exhibition at Bildmuseet, inspired by her great-granduncle Sigge (1910–1983), who led the theatre scene in Jokkmokk, a village in northern Sweden, from the 1930s to the 1950s. The exhibition is the result of a long-term collaboration with musician Petter Alatalo and photographer Jakob Joelson and is based on a fictionalized friendship between Sigge and the artist. The narrative draws from fragments of lyrics, archival photographs, newspaper clippings, and oral histories—including memories shared by Mona, a woman who once performed in Sigge’s theatre in 1951 and was later found by Östberg through Facebook.

In recognition of her work, Malin Östberg received the Gallery Verkligheten Prize, awarded annually by the artist-run space to a graduating student from Umeå Academy of Fine Arts. The award, which includes a cash prize and a solo exhibition, serves as an affirming milestone from fellow artists and the wider art community.