ELSA THUNANDER
ELSA THUNANDER
About
Contact:
Portrait of Merlin in progress - photo by Hans-Peter Szameit
I primarily paint with oils but I also enjoy drawing with graphite, charcoal and white chalk. I am trained in classical realism at The Swedish Academy of Realist Art, which has given me a strong connection to traditional painting in the form of still life, figure, and portrait. My artistry is deeply influenced by my fascination with light, color, and the symbolism found in nature, mythology, and spiritual traditions. A central source of inspiration is the Bhakti tradition of India, which I have studied and practiced since my teenage years — including a period as a nun in a temple ashram and extended travels in India.
Instagram:
elsa.thunander
EXHIBITIONS
2025
(upcoming) Salon de Refusés, Konstkapellet, Marstrand, jury show, August
(current) Galleri Shine, Vaxholm, Solo show, July
(current) Österlen Museum, Simrishamn, group show, June-August
SARA Graduation show, Gösta Werner museum, Simrishamn, group show, June
Konstrundan, The Swedish Academy of Realist Art, Simrishamn, group show, April
Graduation Exhibition, Galleri Engleson, Malmö, group show, March
2024
Kulturnatten Vaxholm, Vaxholms stadsbibliotek, solo show, October
Gösta Werner Höstsalong, Konstmuseet Gösta Werner & Havet, Simrishamn, Skåne, jury show, September-October
Stones of Österlen, Österlens museum, Simrishamn, Skåne, group show, June-September
Portraits, Kliger Gallery, Lund, Skåne, jury show, May-August
Konstrundan, The Swedish Academy of Realist Art, Simrishamn, Skåne, group show, March
2023
Konstrundan, The Swedish Academy of Realist Art, Simrishamn, Skåne, group show, April
AWARDS
Tartget Prize - International Painting Contest, Still life and everyday objects, finalist, March 2025
Vaxholms municipality culture stipend, October 2024
ARC Scholarship, third place, Art Renewal Center, September 2024
Bhaktiland Grant, Bhaktiland foundation, June 2019
EDUCATION
PUBLICATIONS
2022-2025: The Swedish Academy of Realist Art, Simrishamn, Sweden
2017-2018: Nyckelviksskolan, Lidingö, Sweden
2017
Cederström, Eva-Lotta, “En ny stjärna på konsthimlen”, Waxholm Lotsen, March 2025
https://waxholmslotsen.se/waxholms-lotsen-online/
Svahn, Ronja. “Elsa Thunander fick kulturstipendiet 2024”, Vi i Vaxholm, December 2024
https://www.vaxholm.se/download/18.476206301938615cb1cba439/1734350658498/ViiV-4-2024-wcag.pdf
TEACHING
Young masters course for children and youth, The Swedish Academy of Realist Art, summer 2024 and 2025
Upcoming: Drawing course Kulturen i Lund & Galleri Shine, Vaxholm - summer 2025 (see "courses")