Art outside museums

Western Sweden is home, amongst other things, to a vibrant cultural scene that often finds expression outside traditional exhibition spaces. On the island of Tjörn, the Sculpture in Pilane sculpture park offers an open-air exhibition trail set within an ancient historic site. Set amongst the pastures, visitors can admire monumental works by international artists, including ‘Anna’, Jaume Plensa’s 14-metre-tall sculpture that dominates the coastal landscape.

Not far away, in Skärhamn, the Nordic Watercolour Museum hosts temporary exhibitions in a modern building overlooking the sea. The artistic journey can continue inland to Borås (less than an hour by train or bus from Gothenburg), a city with a long history linked to the textile industry which today is home to over 250 murals and urban art installations. The streets and squares of the city centre take centre stage in contemporary art exhibitions, fostering a constant dialogue between public space and creativity. In fact, the ninth Borås Art Biennial is being held here until 27 September, where twelve artists explore the city’s textile history and contemporary identity.