fine art painter
meet the artist.
Elsa ÅKESSON is a mixed race painter based in London.
Originally from Sweden & Madagascar, Elsa was born and raised in Madagascar, the place she calls home.
From the age of 9 onwards, she grew up in Switzerland, & later moved to Madrid, Lond & New York City for her education.
In 2020, Elsa graduated from the University of the Arts London (UAL) with a bachelors in fine arts, specializing in painting.
In 2022, she graduated with distinction from Sotheby's Institute, New York City, for her masters in Art Business.
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ARTIST STATEMENt.
I am a mixed race figurative painter, from Madagascar and Sweden. My inspiration comes from the purity and essence of life. No matter what subject matter my series explore, they all delve into the profound impact of my multicultural background, highlighting the transformative power connecting life with nature, time and space, memories and color.
I tend to observe emotions felt in nature through movement, which I then transform into texture. Additionally, I depict emotions felt in instant life moments with the use of delicate brushstrokes through realism oil painting.
My painting technique takes me on average 300 hours per work. Where I turn raw canvases & inspiration from my photography, into a living piece of art.
Vivid colors remain one of my biggest expressions through the medium of painting, as a way of portraying the joy of life, happiness and blessings. The subject matters I explore all link back to what I feel most connected to emotionally; it being home Madagascar, the power and beauty of femininity, life.