Henrik Sjöström describes his colorful abstracts as inspired by a mix of "current international events, art, movies, music, books, and mythology." Using acrylic, spray paint, and ink pens, Sjöström creates intense patterns in the darkest black that swirls on backgrounds of spacey color. They are dense pieces that close off on themselves, resembling anything from family crests to black holes.

Sjöström's patterns display a compositional sophistication that combines textures made from color, line, and less definable materiality. His pen work creates whirls of thick cords and thin web-like spindles. His acrylic paint dances underneath these dramatic lines, playing a softer counter-tune. Though his palette is no less intense in paint, he uses clouds and washes to temper the lines. When Sjöström depicts real-life objects, he infuses them with the same dramatic shadows and daring line work. Images are flattened and turned into fascinating maps of high contrast, with contouring lines picking out peaks and valleys.

Sjöström was born in Stockholm, Sweden and today lives and works in Värmdö, Sweden. He has exhibited all around the country as well as in the United States.

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