ARTIST
BG KARLSSON
Art at the Plaza
BG Karlsson – ‘Restaurant’
Bengt-Göran Karlsson is a contemporary Swedish artist with a strong impressionistic inclination and a romantic tone. With a background in landscape painting, he has developed a personal style — working with palette knife and oil on canvas — that unites nostalgic figurative scenes with light, texture and emotion. His works are praised internationally and continue to make an impact, particularly in contexts that celebrate his long artistic career.
Background & early career
- Bengt-Göran Karlsson, also known as BG Karlsson, born in 1954, received his first canvas from his mother at the age of 12 and showed strong artistic talent early on.
- His very first exhibition took place over 30 years ago at Sösdala Sparbank — a pivotal experience in his artistic journey.
Technique & stylistic development
- In the beginning, he painted pure landscapes — often outdoors, where he felt ‘at one with nature’.
- In the mid-1980s, a reading experience about turn-of-the-century artists sparked his curiosity to interpret history in his own way. This reflection would become central to his artistic practice.
- Today he often uses a palette knife and oil on canvas, giving his works a romantic, impressionistic feeling with diffuse lighting and vibrant texture.
Subjects & themes
- BG Karlsson often depicts figurative scenes, social encounters and café settings with warmth and a sense of togetherness — with tones of nostalgia and romance dominating.
- Key works such as “Happy Hour” and “Champagne Lunch” underline his fascinating eye for everyday situations, brought to life through his art.
International recognition
Exhibitions
- After exhibiting in New York, Karlsson has received international attention, and his works are included in the art book Current Master as a prominent representative of contemporary Impressionism.
- In the winter of 2026 he will be honoured with a jubilee exhibition at Nordic Art, marking his 50 years as an artist.