ARTIST STORY

The root of why I paint lies in a childhood memory.

I was walking home from the psychiatric emergency ward after visiting my mother. It was early spring — I could hear the birds, see the first colors returning to the world.
It was just as clear to me that she could not.

For a long time, I was afraid to fully feel —
on a quiet, subconscious level — afraid of what it might lead to.

It wasn't until adulthood that I began to let go.
Through meditation, I slowly allowed emotions to surface — to exist, side by side.

Today, I paint from that space.

A place where hope and doubt, joy and unease, can live within the same expression —
like the moment when spring begins to open.

My color palette is drawn from nature,
and my process begins in stillness — in meditation, in presence.

Often outdoors, between water and forest, with music —
where I can feel fully alive.

I create open stories —
paintings that are not fixed, but felt.

Filled with emotion, movement, and life.

Ingela Johansson – Swedish Contemporary Artist

Ingela Johansson is a Swedish contemporary artist creating expressive, semi-abstract paintings inspired by emotion, movement, and nature.

Her work explores the depth of human experience — where multiple emotional states coexist within a single composition. Through a process rooted in meditation, her colour palette draws inspiration from nature, resulting in intuitive, layered works with a strong emotional presence and open-ended stories.

She has lived and worked in Sweden and Southeast Asia, and her work has been exhibited in galleries and art projects internationally.

Today, she creates original paintings and limited edition fine art prints for collectors seeking meaningful Scandinavian art with a distinctive, emotional voice.

Exhibitions, Representation & Awards

Awards & Recognition

Emerging Artist Award, Dubai
Scholarship for the Senses Art Experience, Sweden
Exhibited across Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia & the US

Representation & Galleries

Barlow Gallery, Seattle, US
Gallery Lienhart, Sweden

Selected Exhibitions

Rosalie Gallery, Australia
Gallery Bergman, Karlstad, Sweden
Barlow Gallery, Seattle, US

International Collections

Swedish Embassy, Singapore
New Zealand High Commission