Liljevalchs konsthall displays modern and contemporary art on Djurgården in Stockholm. Every year, it organises Spring Salon - a juried exhibition open to anyone over the age of 18 to apply. Recently, the gallery has also been in the spotlight because of its new extension, whose architecture has provoked strong emotions.
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Liljevalchs konsthall - over 100 years old
Lilevalchs konsthall was opened in 1916 with the aim of making art more accessible to everyone. The main focus is on modern and contemporary art, although crafts and design have also been shown from time to time.
Liljevalchs konsthall is located on the southern part of Djurgården in Stockholm and can be reached by bus, tram or boat from the city centre.
Liljevalchs Plus - a playful building or a bunker?
The original building was designed by architect Carl Bergsten. Last year, in 2021, an extension was added, named Liljevalchs+. The new building, designed by the architect Gert Wingårdh in collaboration with the glass designer Ingegerd Råman, has three floors and spacious areas, where the focus is on light.
However, not everyone has been enamoured of the new building and in the Architects' Revolt vote it won first prize as 'Sweden's ugliest new building in 2021'. Those who didn't like it used words like "box" or "bunker". The Kunsthalle itself describes the extension as "light and playful".
Liljevalchs 100th anniversary - art and posters through the ages
Liljevalchs celebrated its 100th anniversary during the renovation (which took much longer than expected) and five years later, in October 2021, their anniversary exhibition opened. The exhibition, which runs until 16 January 2022, features art and posters from 48 different exhibitions in the gallery's history.
Even though this particular exhibition is coming to an end relatively soon, it's a bit of fun to show some photos from it, as it tells the story of art shown at Liljevalchs through the ages. For example, we could look at classic works by artists like Bruno Liljefors, Anders Zorn and Carl Larsson.
In one of the rooms you could read about the years during World War II (1939 and a few years later) when Liljevalchs konsthall closed and the premises were taken over by the naval base. Military preparedness in Sweden was heightened during this time, and all possible premises had to be utilised.
However, many young men in one place meant that things were not always peaceful, and navy men were not liked by everyone. According to the information sign on the wall, a Stockholm restaurant wrote at its entrance that 'Dogs and navy men are not allowed'.
The exhibition also showcased art and posters from later exhibitions. There was everything from the Friends of Crafts and IKEA to Lars Lerin, Ernst Billgren and Andy Warhol.
Exhibition: Linn Fernström
Another exhibition that we really enjoyed was that of Linn Fernström's art, which is on display until 20 February 2022. Linn (born 1974) paints paintings that feel slightly surreal, filled with birds, dragonflies, flowers, people and the occasional monkey.
We liked Linn's work a lot and stayed with this exhibition for a long time.
More exhibitions at Liljevalchs konsthall
Additional exhibitions currently on display at Liljevalchs konsthall were:
- Eva Lange and Per Kasselmar (19 Nov 2021 - 23 Jan 2022)
- Karin Alfredsson (17 Dec 2021 - 13 Feb 2022)
Exhibitions coming up in the spring are
- Princess Svanevit (2 February - 20 March 2022)
- The Spring Salon 2022 (4 Feb - 10 April 2022)
- Film about Liljevalchs+ (14 Feb - 31 March 2022)
Visiting Liljevalchs konsthall
Visiting Liljevalchs konsthall is exciting and enjoyable, but what you get to see depends entirely on which exhibitions are currently on display. The price is 120 SEK per adult (2022), but if you want (as we did) you can take the opportunity to visit the art gallery on Mondays when there is free admission. The art gallery also has a restaurant and a small shop with books, posters and furnishings.
More to see and do in the neighbourhood
Liljevalchs konsthall is located on Djurgården, which means there are many other nice and interesting museums nearby. If you are interested in art and culture, you can for example check out Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, Thielska Gallery, Nordiska Museum, ABBA Museum, Ethnographic Museum or Skansen.
Have you visited Liljevalchs konsthall? How was your experience? What do you think of the new extension? Please tell us! Or is there another art centre you would like to recommend?
Facts about Liljevalchs konsthall
- Address: Djurgårdsvägen 60, Djurgården
- Municipality: Stockholm
- County: Stockholm County
- Landscape: Uppland
- Read more: You can find more information at the museum's website.
Tours and activities
- Guided tours for groups: A tour of Liljevalchs+ with exhibitions or the Spring Salon can be organised.
- Events: Liljevalchs konsthall customises events for companies, associations and other groups.
Services and practical information
- Opening hours: Monday 11-17, Tuesday and Thursday 11-20, Wednesday and Friday-Sunday 11-17 (2022). Please note that the gallery is closed on certain public holidays.
- Prices: Adults 120 SEK, pensioners and students 100 SEK and children and young people under 18 years old free of charge. Free admission on Mondays (2022).
- Shop: There is a museum shop with posters, books, furnishings, puzzles, postcards and more.
- Food service: Restaurant Blå Porten and Blå+ with a vegetarian menu.
- Rules: Brooches may not be used and walking sticks may not be brought in. Storage cabinets are located on the lower floor.
Accessibility
- Entrance: Shuttle services and taxis can stop in front of the main entrance. The entrance has a ramp adapted for wheelchairs.
- Indoor environment: There is a lift between the floors of the art centre, with a door width of 110 cm. There are no thresholds between the halls. A hearing aid system is installed in the art centre.
- Toilets: Accessible toilets are available on the entrance floor and on the ground floor.
Find Liljevalchs konsthall
- Car: Parking is available at Gröna Lund, Nordiska museet, Cirkus and other locations, but the number of spaces is limited.
- Municipal: You can travel by bus, tram or ferry. Search for a journey on sl.se.
- Walking/cycling: You can also walk or cycle along Strandvägen, and then across Djurgårdsbron.
You might also like:
Culture in Lund - an open-air museum in the city centre
Wämöparken in Karlskrona - Blekinge's "Skansen"
Nordiska museet in Stockholm - culture, design, traditions
Prince Eugens Waldemarsudde - art in beautiful surroundings
ArkDes - museum of architecture and design
East Asian Museum in Stockholm - Japan, China, Korea
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Ditte says:
Thank you for your visit. Very nice.
We passed here a few weeks ago but had not booked a time and would have to wait over an hour for our "slot time" so we take a repeat at another time. I visit Liljevalchs from time to time and often there is something you like. The "Bunker" I thought did not fit at all in the environment that is on Djurgården and feels completely wrong in the context.
If Fotografiska counts as an art gallery, it is definitely a favourite of mine and I stop by here from time to time... (I have an annual pass).
I can also recommend Bonnierhuset and the art gallery there with free admission.
And if you get a chance to visit Villa Bonnier at Manilla on Djurgården, the portrait collection there is unique. Highly recommended (though only open for special tours).
(Sandgrund, Lars Lerin's permanent art gallery in Karlstad is recommended. I return here every year both privately and in my travelling job).
05 January 2022 - 8:18
Helena says:
Too bad it was "full" when you were here last, but there are more opportunities! I did not have much against the "bunker" itself (liked it especially inside!), but can agree that it may not really fit in the environment, and that is probably also what many have reacted to. Thanks for tips on more art museums! 🙂
05 January 2022 - 19:40
BP says:
Yes, who else but Gert Wingårdh can realise the bunker. I have to say that I like the building as such, but Liljevalchs+ does not fit into the surroundings, unfortunately. Almost like a rape actually.
Used to go to the spring salons, both on Djurgården and the years they were relocated to a building behind the Gallerian in the centre of town. However, I have never stuck to anything there one hundred per cent.
A few years ago, the jury was criticised for the selection of artists. So I was probably not alone in being disappointed.
One who always delivers is Lars Lerin. That guy is a genius:-)
05 January 2022 - 20:07
Helena says:
Yes, that is precisely what has been criticised, how the building (doesn't) fit in with Djurgården, rather than the building itself. We have never seen the spring galleries. But I agree with Lars Lerin, it would be nice to come to Sandgrund on occasion!
06 January 2022 - 8:54