Galleri Magnus Karlsson was founded in 1990. The first 7 years the gallery was located in Västerås, a city 100 km west of Stockholm. It gradually gained a reputation as one of the most interesting contemporary galleries in Sweden. In August 1997 the gallery moved to Riddargatan 29 in Stockholm.
The focus of the gallery has been to present emerging artists from Sweden and establish long term relations and representations. The gallery has done international art fairs since 1999, such as Liste, Basel, Art Forum Berlin, Frieze Art Fair, London, The Armory Show, New York , ABC, Berlin, Chart, Copenhagen, Frieze Art Fair, New York, Art Berlin & FIAC, Paris, to present those artists also internationally. The gallery also co-produces exhibitions, pop-up exhibitions and projects with museums and galleries in Sweden and abroad.
The gallery is, since 2005, located on the ground floor of The Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts on Fredsgatan 12.
Hellvi Kännungs is Galleri Magnus Karlsson’s summer project room in a rebuilt limestone barn on the island of Gotland. Since 2011 it is an alternative exhibition space to the gallery in Stockholm. Some of the gallery artists have curated their own exhibitions here and it has been a place to explore new ideas. Hellvi Kännungs has become a meeting point for artists and public in an environment completely different from the urban gallery space. The proximity to nature and the seclusion has contributed to a prestigious and inspiring atmosphere. In addition to the exhibitions, the gallery artists have also stayed at Hellvi Kännungs during periods of work and relaxation.
The gallery is a partner in the hotel Le Manoir in Banyuls-sur-Mer. This little gem is located in French Catalonia where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean Sea. We have made presentations by some of our artists here and works by gallery artists are shown in the public areas and bedrooms throughout the hotel.
–Magnus Karlsson