Liljevalchs: Stockholm’s largest art space showcasing Swedish and international contemporary art

By Malin Norman

This spring and summer at Liljevalchs promises an immersive and unforgettable art experience, ranging from Sámi crafts and the magic of snow, to unusual birds and the elemental forces of rivers.

Liljevalchs first opened its doors in 1916 as the first independent and public art institution for contemporary art in Sweden. In 2021, the new building Liljevalchs+, designed by renowned architect Gert Wingårdh, was added and provides another 2,400 square metres across six floors.

As the country’s oldest and largest art space, Liljevalchs has firmly placed Sweden in the international arena.” Our exhibition programme is aimed at a broad and diverse audience as well as those particularly interested in certain artists or art and design trends,” says Joanna Sandell Wright, director and artistic director. “Liljevalchs is an immersive experience, where the exhibitions reinforce each other and hopefully provide new and unexpected perspectives.”

Stockholm's largest art space showcasing Swedish and international contemporary art

From the opening of Liljevalchs+, designed by architect Gert Wingårdh. Photo: Andreas Nur

This spring and summer, Liljevalchs presents Drick Drick by Carola Grahn, one of Scandinavia’s leading contemporary artists. Grahn is of southern Sámi descent, and her work often interweaves dark humour, popular culture references and Sámi traditions to challenge stereotypes and power structures. Opened in March, the exhibition has received an overwhelming response from everyone from art critics to children. “One of our young visitors, a four-year-old girl, told us that it was her biggest art experience so far,” smiles Sandell Wright.

Carola Grahn, Snön, 2025. Photo: Jean-Baptiste Béranger

A room with snow, an overflowing glass, a joik machine, brooms, and 17 engraved knives are the building blocks of the large-scale, meticulously crafted installations. “Drick Drick is one of the not-to-be-missed art exhibitions in Sweden,” says Sandell Wright. “Grahn transforms ordinary objects into compelling symbols of personal experience, social critique, and collective memory.” Drick Drick is available until 10 August.

Carola Grahn, Drick Drick, 2025. Photo: Gustav Almestål

On 13 June, Liljevalchs opens the new exhibition Lars Jonsson, invisibilis. “Jonsson is an internationally known ornithologist and the most prominent painter of birds and nature in Sweden,” says Sandell Wright. “In this fascinating exhibition, his lifelong artistry alongside many new works are presented. We will have the chance to see how he observes nature and draws birds in the field, and visitors can try drawing birds themselves.”

Stockholm’s most beautiful art space offers more fascinating exhibitions, such as the award-winning River Biographies by Lundahl & Seitl, a project engaging with the elemental forces of eight rivers, as well as enticing activities and performances. Visitors can easily spend a whole day at Liljevalchs and refuel afterwards at the newly renovated restaurant Blå Porten, with seating both indoors and outdoors, and buy the perfect gift in the shop.