A living thing

Hans Täckenström: The Artist's Realm – The Rhythm of Color, the Flow of Music, and the Art of Renewal Hans Täckenström is an artist who has bravely chosen to heed the rhythm of his inner self. After spending decades in the fast-paced world of international advertising—where creativity was often quantified by results, tight deadlines, and successful campaigns—he felt a profound need to create without the constraints of strategy or purpose. He yearned for the freedom to express himself purely, stating, “I longed to create without a brief, without a goal. Just me, the color, and the feeling.” This pivotal transition into painting marked the dawn of a new kind of liberation for Hans, where rhythm, color, and bodily expression became the primary language, allowing thought to emerge afterward. From Concept to Intuition Hans’s extensive experience in advertising has undeniably influenced his artistic vision, endowing him with a keen eye for balance, rhythm, and contrast. However, where his previous career demanded precision and control, he now embraced the notion of release and spontaneity. He reflects, “I had lived a whole professional life where everything was about thinking. Now I wanted to paint without knowing.” Embracing this new philosophy, Hans began to paint instinctively, devoid of sketches or predetermined plans. The colors became his guide, while the brush transformed into an instrument of expression. In this shift, intuition triumphed over intellect, birthing a fresh and uncharted creative journey. The Symphony of Color For Hans, the act of painting is deeply intertwined with music, as he plays bass in the band Hans on the Bass. He often likens the creative process to a jam session with colors, elaborating, “I paint like I play – with feeling. It’s about flow, rhythm, and presence.” Music pulses through every facet of his artistic practice, and when he’s not immersed in painting or performing, he travels the globe to experience live music, from the likes of Peter Gabriel to Kite. “I love that feeling when music fills everything. That collective vibration—it’s also present in art,” he expresses. Balancing Play and Seriousness Hans’s paintings navigate the spectrum between abstraction and figuration, spontaneity and precision. The interplay of colors resembles voices in an improvisational piece—sometimes harmonious, at times discordant, but always underpinned by a rhythmic foundation. “I never know where the painting will go. Sometimes I have to paint over something I love so that something new can emerge. Just like in life,” he muses. Inspired by the works of notable artists such as Hilma af Klint, Philip Guston, Peter Köhler, and Marie-Louise Ekman, Hans has cultivated a unique expression that is emotional, dynamic, and unrestrained. Doors, Secrets, and Movement Hans perceives his artworks as small universes, teeming with concealed symbols and emotional nuances. “I see my paintings as doors. You never know what awaits behind the next layer of paint,” he reveals. For him, painting serves as a medium to explore the ineffable—a form of meditative movement. “I want my paintings to be felt, not explained,” he adds. Life in Color Presently, Hans creates in his studio, where each day commences with music, coffee, and paint-stained hands. His art has garnered appreciation far beyond the borders of Sweden, yet the driving force behind his work remains unchanged—the desire to convey the vibrancy of life itself. “For me, art is about reminding us of the magic of life. It’s about daring to let go and recognizing the beauty in the unfinished,” he articulates. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Hans is a proud member of the Olle Baertling Foundation. He finds the life and artistic journey of Olle Baertling particularly inspiring—the banker who transformed into one of the country's foremost artists, renowned for his unique style characterized by brilliant color nuances in triangular forms.