Pauline Lindberg (née Wood), a self-taught artist born in 1966, has woven a rich tapestry of creativity throughout her life. Raised in the vibrant streets of New York City, she has called Sweden home since 1980. For the past nine years, Pauline has embraced her role as a full-time artist, working from her studio on a picturesque farm in Hjärnarp, south of Båstad in northwestern Sweden.
Her artistic repertoire is diverse, primarily focusing on abstract paintings created with mixed media. In addition to her paintings, she explores sculptural forms using a variety of materials, including acrylic, concrete, epoxy, metals, clay, and found objects. Pauline’s artistic journey has been significantly influenced by her biological father, Erik Wood, a multidisciplinary artist who works with various mediums as a painter and sculptor. His legacy has inspired her creative path, leading her to fully dedicate herself to her artwork in 2016. Since then, she has enjoyed a fruitful career, with her work consistently exhibited and represented by various galleries.
Pauline’s art defies conventional boundaries; there are no strict rules or formats in her creations. She favors large-scale pieces that make bold statements, using acrylics and mixed media on linen. Each of her works tells a unique story, characterized by playful, raw, and asymmetrical expressions that invite viewers to engage with the narratives woven into the art.
“The process decides where I am going,” she reflects. “I’m always pushing forward, eager to see what the process will bring to the surface.” Her studio, where she spends at least eight hours a day painting and creating, is a space of spontaneity. “I don’t sketch out ideas or motifs. My work is spontaneous and stems from a feeling that leads me to choose a specific palette.”
The layers of her paintings are constructed with evocative shapes and symbols, creating depth and dimension. Background motifs often emerge only under specific angles and lighting, encouraging interaction and exploration, much like a theatrical performance. “I work with acrylics, mixed media, and all other mediums except fluid oil paints. I seldom use traditional paint brushes; I prefer other tools such as rubber rollers and sponges,” she explains. “If I use a brush, it’s often worn and torn to help create deep, weathered marks.”
Inspiration comes from her insatiable curiosity and eagerness to explore. “So far, not one day has passed without the desire and need to paint. I’m extremely grateful to be able to work with what I love doing.” Her surroundings deeply influence her work, as she draws inspiration from “daily life and events, people, places, music, nature, where I am for the moment, right here, right now.”
Pauline’s artistic philosophy centers on testing boundaries and widening perspectives. “No rules apply to my work. I can create multiple focal points or none at all,” she states. “I’m not trying to create anything specific or perfect; I am creating what I need to share and convey. That feeling becomes a dialogue.”
Her complex artistic process reflects her life experiences. “The more complex feelings, questions, or thoughts, the more complex the painting,” she notes. “I’ve never had idols or aimed to practice any specific technique or style. I am influenced by everything I see and every place I’ve been.”
Her biggest influence remains her father, whose creative spirit shaped her approach to art. “He taught me to be curious and experimental with my artwork. Growing up around him and being part of his endless creative projects gave me tools to be fearless in my work,” she shares. “This has helped me stay true to myself and what I want to express.”
If asked to identify a group of artists that resonate with her philosophy, she cites the Abstract Expressionist movement for its freedom of expression. “Artists like Pollock, de Kooning, Motherwell, and Kline inspire me, as well as Rothko and Picasso,” she adds.
Now residing in rural Skåne, nature profoundly influences her current work. Her palette has evolved to embrace warmer, more rustic tones, yet she continues to find joy in depicting urban landscapes, including skyscrapers and industrial motifs.
Pauline opens her studio to visitors approximately twice a year, welcoming both private and corporate groups for booked visits. Her work can also be found year-round at UMA Gallery and Kabusa Art Gallery in Ystad, where she has been represented since 2020.
With an exhibition opening on February 15 at UMA Gallery, and a new collection set to be delivered to Kabusa Art Gallery later in March, Pauline Lindberg continues to carve her unique path in the art world, celebrating creativity and the joy of artistic expression.
For more information about Pauline Lindberg and her work, visit www.paulinelindberg.se or follow her on Instagram @paulinelindbergart.