The word ‘icon’ gets thrown around a lot these days, but Marie-Louise Ekman is an icon. The Swedish artist has found success in nearly every medium, surprising, inspiring, amusing and beguiling anyone who encounters her work (and anyone who encounters her). And, at 79, the artist isn’t through exploring, trying new media and ways of working. Next, the entire floor of a hospital becomes her canvas. We step inside Ekman’s Södermalm studio and instantly get what all the fuss is about
Culture / Society
As she approaches 80, artist Marie-Louise Ekman is taking on a huge new public project
By Allyson Shiffman
Swedish artist Marie-Louise Ekman in her studio in Södermalm. Marie-Louise wears her own clothes throughout the story. Photo: Kristian Bengtsson