Paul-Robin Sjöström | A Destroyer's Gotta Destroy, It's In My Nature

We are pleased to present Paul-Robin Sjöström’s third solo exhibition at Berg Gallery, titled A Destroyer’s Gotta Destroy, It’s In My Nature. The exhibition features a new series of ceramic sculptures and wall-reliefs.

Paul-Robin Sjöström describes his artistic practice as driven by the need to visually depict thoughts, feelings, and memories—to give form to something fleeting yet deeply felt. His work generally inolves familiar visual elements such as trees, flowers, fruits, houses, and natural phenomena—motifs that carry deep cultural and psychological associations. By recontextualizing everyday objects, he creates a space for recognition, allowing the familiar to take on new meanings.

As the title suggests, destruction and destructiveness are central to the exhibition. Sjöström explores destruction both as an instinct and a necessity, recognizing its dual role in both renewal and ruin. His work reflects the tension between control and chaos, creation and disintegration. Through this process, Sjöström delves into fundamental human emotions—emotions that are generally overlooked or pushed aside—such as anger, guilt, and desperation.

In contrast to the theme of the exhibition, Sjöström’s practice is defined by precision, intention, and meticulous control. The finished pieces are characterized by an exactness that often challenges our perception of the ceramic material.

Paul-Robin Sjöström (b. 1989, Tartagal, Argentina) grew up in Jönköping and currently resides in Stockholm, Sweden. He is educated at Konstfack University of Art, Crafts and Design in Stockholm, HDK-Valand in Gothenburg, and the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. Sjöström has exhibited widely in Sweden and internationally, including in China, the USA, South Korea, Italy and the Netherlands. Previous solo and group exhibitions include Berg Gallery, Stockholm (2022, 2019, 2018), Galerie Terra Delft, Delft (2024), Kolva-Sullivan Gallery, Spokane, Washington (2021), Lintao Museum, Lintao (2019), and Davin Art Center, Busan (2019). In recent years, Sjöström has been to several international residencies and has received a number of grants, including the Hertha Bengtsson Scholarship Fund (2018), the Rochefort Scholarship, the Archie Bray Foundation (2021) and the Swedish Arts Grants Committee's two-year working grant (2021).