Archterior talked to Stockholm based ceramic artist Stefanie Gripenberg who shared her story. A big loss in Stefanie’s life made her ultimately pursue art fully, a journey that has positively changed her life. Stefanie is currently studying at Konstfack in Stockholm, where she is developing her own style within ceramic sculpting. Just three years after getting started, one of her sculptures were selected for the prestigious Liljevalchs Vårsalong in 2024. Get to know Stefanie Gripenberg and her approach to art in this interview.
How did you find your way into art?
Ever since I’ve been a child I’ve loved doing different types of art. I used to sit in front of TV shows and draw the people on TV, I built houses with wooden blocks and made my own jewelry. But I always had the idea that I didn’t want to work with what I loved. I therefore started a totally different life where I worked an office job and it worked for a while but then my younger sister Lussan got sick and passed away after just three months and that was sort of a changing point for me. It totally destroyed me and I had a couple of years where I was really depressed and later on went on sick leave from my job. While on sick leave I realized I absolutely did not want to go back so I quit my job. Without really any plan I applied to study ceramics at Vårdinge Folkhögskola and spent the next two years realizing I’m actually an artist and this is what I’m supposed to do, the whole cliché. It was also a part of my healing process from losing my sister. Even though I know I’ll never recover I understood that I had to do what made me happy and as soon as I did I knew I had no other option than to continue. After two years at Vårdinge I was accepted at Konstfack where I’m currently about to start my second year.
What techniques do you use?
I mostly work with clay, both hand building and throwing. I often use throwing to make a quick base and then sculpt on to that.
How would you define your art style?
This is a hard question but I think what I want is for people to look at my art and relate in some ways. I have often felt that I had a hard time understanding art, that “if you know you know” and I never knew, if that makes sense. I don’t want to make it hard. I want you to instantly feel something, even if that is that you hate it. I’m also a “more is more” person and I want that to be reflected in my art. It’s basically my brain on display.
Has your style or technique changed over time?
I haven’t done this for very long, only three years but I feel like I’ve grown into my style of work. It’s been there from the beginning but as I’ve learnt more and more my techniques have evolved. I feel like I’m really getting into my own style now, it’s more developed and refined and mostly more conscious than before.
Which artists or art styles have inspired you?
One of the people who inspired me the most is the incredible artist and my friend Kakan Hermansson. She was one of the first people who really pushed me to go for ceramics and she has always encouraged me to take me and my art seriously. Another person who really inspired me is the artist Linda Karlsson. We had her as a guest teacher at Vårdinge and she showed me how you can do ceramics more playful and fun and also use unconventional materials but mostly how to build big stuff which apparently became my thing.
When other people view your work, what are their reactions and thoughts?
I think people’s first reaction is “what the hell is this?”, that my work looks like fun at first glance, lots of colors, relatable figures and big scale. However as they start looking closer they find small stuff that they recognize or relate to, if that is a character or a feeling and then they put the picture together but it takes a while to get there.
Is there something in particular that you wish to convey to the viewer through your work?
I want to make an impact and give everyone a chance to enjoy art, not just a small percentage. I want it to be accessible to everybody.
When starting on a new artwork, what goes through your head? What does your planning and creation process look like?
I have a really hard time to sketch out what I want beforehand. Usually I get an idea, think about it for a short time and then go for it. I have a picture in my head of what I want and as I go that can change if it doesn’t turn out how I like it to, but my process and how that’s going or how I’m feeling is part of the finished work which is why I can never sketch it out beforehand.
Display of Stefanie Gripenberg‘s exhibition at Konstfack in 2024.
What are you working on right now?
Right now I’m mostly working as a ceramics teacher during the summer. In September I start my second year at Konstfack.
Inspiration is important when creating, where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in my everyday life. It can be a thing or a shape, a part of a tree, the curve of a nose, a font on a sign, literally anything can spark inspiration, but mostly it’s thoughts and conversations I have with family and friends, mostly my older sister Miccan. She is one of my biggest inspirations and her brain is genius. I can discuss an idea I got and then we throw it back and forth until it becomes something.
Is there any artwork that you’ve created that is extra significant to you?
Actually it’s one of the first things I ever created and the one thing I have at home that I made myself. My sister Lussan had a hand wave she always used to make, and also a thumb we always made fun of, and that was so much of her essence so I made her hand in that gesture to always have her waving at me.
How do you define “good” art?
I don’t know that I do, maybe I do. I think I’m just really drawn to things that make me feel something, either if that’s something that just looks pretty or a color I like, just something that draws me in and then gets me to learn more about the piece and what it represents.
What are the best things about being an artist?
To be free in my creativity and be able to dedicate all my time to my art. It’s such a luxury to be able to do that and I don’t take that lightly. Also, the great impact art can have on our society, to start conversations, that’s amazing.
What are the worst things about being an artist?
The money! (Laughing) No but truly, it is a constant thing you have to think about, how to afford materials, rent and food. It’s just annoying.
Are there any special moments in your art career that you’d like to share – moments that perhaps brought you forward, gave you clarity or changed you?
I think losing my sister is the most defining moment of my life and therefore also my art career. She is always with me and in my art in some type of way. The way I create, what and why I create, is all impacted by that.
What does it mean to you to be able to work with art?
It literally means the world. I never thought I could be happy again but I am, not always but mostly, and working with art is a huge part of that.
In ten years time, where do you see yourself and your creative work?
Working with my art and making enough to do it full time. Hopefully I’m sharing a workshop with some friends and working towards my own exhibition.
If you could go back to the beginning of your art career, what advise would you give yourself?
Don’t overthink, just do.
Architerior thanks Stefanie for sharing her artistic story with us!
