Markus Åkesson Swedish, b. 1975

Markus Åkesson (born 1975 in Kalmar, Sweden) is a Swedish contemporary painter whose work operates at the intersection of figuration, ornament, and mythic imagery. His paintings are distinguished by their meticulous surface detail, often featuring patterned textiles, draped fabrics, and veiled figures that blend references to art history with narrative ambiguity. Åkesson’s practice draws from neo-figurative and magic realist traditions, engaging with light, shadow, and symbolic motifs to create visually rich compositions that invite sustained looking and interpretation.  

Living and working in Nybro, Sweden, Åkesson has exhibited widely across Europe and beyond, with solo and group exhibitions in venues such as Galerie Da-End in Paris, Berg Gallery in Stockholm, Kalmar Konstmuseum, and VIDA Museum on Öland. His work is included in public and private collections internationally, reflecting both critical recognition and institutional interest in his distinctive painterly language.