Johanna Bjurström

The Bærtling Scholarship 2026

Painting in which clear compositions, vibrating surfaces, and explorations of material and space come together.

Johanna Bjurström has been awarded the Bærtling Foundation’s 2026 scholarship of SEK 100,000 for her painting, in which clear compositions, vibrating surfaces, and explorations of material and space come together. The scholarship was presented at Villa Pauli, surrounded by works by Olle Bærtling.

The Foundation highlights how Johanna Bjurström’s paintings combine clear, unified, and at times symmetrical forms with porous, vibrant surfaces. Through her treatment of materials and the interplay between the works, she creates a resonance that takes hold of the entire space.

Her work connects to Olle Bærtling’s explorations of the open form—how a work of art interacts with and extends into the space around it.

For Johanna Bjurström, the scholarship offers both encouragement and tangible opportunities to develop her practice. In the interview recorded at the ceremony, she speaks about the importance of having her art recognized and of others seeing what she seeks to convey.

One year after graduating, she is in a period of intensive studio work. She is exploring how painting changes with scale and is now testing smaller formats than the large canvases she previously worked with. The limitations of the format become a way of moving the work forward and discovering new possibilities. Above all, the scholarship gives her the means to buy canvas and paint and continue experimenting.

Johanna has long been familiar with Bærtling’s art and sees an affinity with his work, even though their approaches and circumstances differ. She is particularly drawn to his monumental sculptures.

The Bærtling Foundation has awarded its annual scholarship since 1983. This year’s scholarship amounts to SEK 100,000.

Watch the film from the scholarship ceremony and meet Johanna Bjurström