Culture / Society

This Swedish sculptor turns steel into queer art

By Mathias Rosenzweig

Technical blazer, €360. J. Lindeberg Tank top. Talent’s own. Technical suit trousers, €160. J. Lindeberg. Silver chain necklace, €180. Maria Nilsdotter. Leather slippers, €360. Our Legacy. Photo: Kristian Bengtsson

Steel, tiling, aluminum tubes – these mundane materials aren’t especially humorous, poignant or romantic. Yet in the hands of Swedish artist Erik Thörnqvist, they are imbued with magic, conjuring narratives of queerness, beauty and comedy. We meet with the of-the-moment artist for a private tour of his breakthrough exhibition.