Finnish artist wins prestigious award in Sweden – compared to a Renaissance master

The Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts sees traces of Hieronymus Bosch in Hammar’s work.

– I was not expecting such a prize at all. I was shocked when I heard about it. It’s an incredible honour,” Hammar tells Yle by phone.

Hammar’s queer-inspired work *Hot and Slutty Giants*, tinged with sex and sexuality, attracted attention.

– I have received mostly good and varied criticism.

The exhibition is open in Stockholm until March 9.

New comic book in the making

Like Bosch, Hammar creates a complex world of imagery where real or imaginary events represent people in their passion, boredom, weakness, evil and fear, the jury says.

Hammar’s art shows the artist’s own experiences as a queer person, and according to the jury, he sends a \”rebellious greeting to the world\”.

Hammar, a sawmill between Finland and Sweden, is currently living in Gothenburg and is preparing his next exhibition, which will open at the Art Museum of Art in Tornio in November 2025.

The sum of the Royal Academy of Arts is SEK 94,000, or about EUR 8,300. The Finnish artist has use for it.

– I pay for rent and take my partner out to eat.