“Year of
the horse“
Sep 24—Oct 1 2026
Detroit-Stockolm
Roslagsgatan 21
Let’s hear them.
#stories
Category: Uncategorized
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A New York ink story.
Today I saw a horse. 50 x 40 cm. Ink on paper. 2017 
Subway Impression. 50 x 40 cm. Ink on paper. 2019 
SoHo Shower. 50 x 40 cm. Ink on paper. 2017 
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The Scandinavian darkness.
Traditionally Scandinavian painters has known for capturing the magic, intense nordic light. But the reality is that the nordic countries are covered in darkness for the most part of the year.
My goal is to capture that magic darkness with the help of fluid ink.
The feeling of going to work before the sun comes and going home after the sun has set. Where the only source of light you have to guide you are the artificial lights of cities and lamp-posts and when the mysterious northen lights appears in the far north.
Guide. Tusch på papper, 2010 The exhibition includes 6-8 ink paintings around 70x 50 cm, and 4 lithographic prints ( 40 x 30 cm) featuring classic locations as Skagen, Stockholm city and archipelago. All painted during the long lasting scandinavian winter.
All of the artworks are for sale.
//David Öqvist
Stortorget, ink on paper. -
New York in Stockholm
A lifelong dream came true when I got to have my own art show in New York.
During my stay I captured the great city with my sketchbook.
I used the best sketches and produced paintings for this show.
Where:
Kollektivet Hvitan, Katarina Bangata 47
When:
11 – 29 December 2017
Opening, 9 December kl. 17
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”If I paint their eyes, they would fly away.”
The legendary Chinese artist Zhang Sengyou 張僧繇 was asked to paint a mural in a temple. He painted four dragons but left out the pupils in their eyes.
When the people asked him why Zhang explained that if he painted the pupils, the dragons would come alive.
When the on-lookers shook their heads in disbelief Zhang proceeded to paint the dragons eyes. As soon as he finished, the dragon roared to life and flew away in a thunderous flash of lightning!
Ink dragon This story embodies the philosophy of sumi-e. The goal is not simply to reproduce the appearance of a subject, but to capture its soul. To paint a horse, the artist must understand its temperament better than its muscles and bones.
To paint a flower, there is no need to perfectly match its petals and colors, but it is essential to convey its liveliness and fragrance.
So when I paint urban life, I try to capture the atmosphere and magnetism of a big city. Feel the story behind each building and citizen.
/David Öqvist 2017
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I want to see the craft
David Öqvist’s first exhibition in New York featured ink paintings of the great city.
“The method was quite simple, explore and capture the city with a sketchbook. Then later the same day use the best sketches to create sumi-e paintings with the image fresh in my mind. ”
SoHo Shower. 50 x 40 cm. Ink on paper. 2017 
west 59th street. NYC 
*The exhibition took place at Artist’s Place Gallery and was curated by Justin Von Allen.
*All of the paintings have been sold.
Opening night 
I want to see the craft
13 – 30 October 2016
Artists Place Gallery
412 Throop Ave, Brooklyn NY
Curated by Justin Von Allen
http://artistsplace.nyc/
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Vargavinter
“Ljummen jul och ett blaskigt nyår,
kung bores slaskiga labyrinter,
oavsett väderlek vi uppleva får,
ännu en vargavinter”
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Stockholm, debuten.
Min första separata utställning fokuserade på Stockholms tidlöshet.
Jag ville skildra det som stått oförändrat i århundraden och det som förmodligen kommer att se likadant ut om ytterligare hundra år. Efter en lång gallerijakt så hyrde jag en lokal på Hantverkargatan. Det blev platsen för min debututställning i egen regi, november 2010.
I efterhand kan man tydligt se bristen på liv och rörelse, och en del anda saker som kännetecknar Stockholm. Någon som jag vill berätta tydligare i kommande utställningar.
