Spring Salon 2026: A Kaleidoscope of Surrealism and Social Commentary

The Spring Salon at Liljevalchs has long been heralded as a vibrant herald of spring, and this year, the feeling is palpably intense. This year’s exhibition features an array of striking art pieces, including life-like bronze coltsfoot flowers that decorate the wooden paneling of one exhibition hall, although such floral displays are notably rare. Liljevalchs director, Joanna Sandell Wright, described the works as embodying ‘absurdity with a surrealistic feel’, with several pieces reflecting nightmarish scenarios. One of the standout pieces, titled “Don’t Forget to Wash Your Hands” by Tindra Englund, is a stark reminder of the socio-political dynamics affecting the world today. Inspired by her experiences in Ramallah, Englund's piece prompts the viewer to reflect on humanitarian issues, particularly as Sweden continues to supply arms to Israel amid global scrutiny. The selection of artworks is known to mirror societal currents, and this year is no exception. Visitors to the exhibition confront a disturbing tableau that includes refugee families, strikebreakers outside Tesla factories, and a jarring cross-stitch depicting world leaders Trump and Putin at a beach resort amid an ominous atomic mushroom cloud. It is as if the visitor has been transported back to the political grittiness of the 1970s, with contemporary issues embedded within the fabric of each piece. Nature, a perennial subject in art, portrays a more grim reality in this exhibition. The climate crisis has altered perceptions, now painting nature as threatening and decaying. Amidst this negativity, a scene featuring rats clinging to a dried-out plant signals distress. Surreal representations continue with two crocodiles grilling by a campfire and dancing within the flames—a disturbing symbol reflecting absurdity in contemporary life. The Spring Salon opens its doors on February 13, an event that is the result of months of hard work by Joanna Sandell Wright and a jury of diverse backgrounds including artist Paul Adamah, curator Abir Boukhari, and Sami artist Carola Grahn. The jury sifted through a staggering 3,394 submissions, ultimately selecting 255 artists, a record not seen since the 1950s, with half of the accepted artists being under 40 years old. As artworks from different mediums and messages collide, viewers are invited to experience a broad spectrum of artistic voice. The exhibition includes intricately laid-out neon installations and unconventional forms of painting that defy traditional squares and rectangles. The influence of mobile phones emerges in motifs, hinting at the omnipresence of digital life in modern art. A new element this year involves performance art. Actress and performance artist Karolina Willebrand Vinnberg, inspired by the famed Marina Abramović, will perform as Pippi Longstocking, inviting visitors to interact during her coffee party while grappling with themes of loneliness intertwined with playfulness. As Joanna Sandell Wright aptly puts it, ‘Art possesses the power to provide insights into our past and our possible futures.’ With such thought-provoking themes and dynamic interpretations of current society, the Spring Salon 2026 promises not only to be a visual feast but also a reflective space for discourse amid a time of turbulence. The Spring Salon at Liljevalchs runs from February 13 to May 3, showcasing the vibrant undercurrents of contemporary artistry in Sweden and beyond. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2