Sculpting Memory: The Artistic Practice of Sture Pallarp
From Found Objects to Cultural Conversations
“My work is a dialogue between memory and material,” explains Sture Pallarp, whose art transforms the everyday into the extraordinary.
Pallarp, a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Stockholm, brings a profound sensitivity to the materials he works with.
His sculptures and installations often repurpose wood and found objects, imbuing them with a new vitality by revealing the stories they carry—traces of time, touch, and transformation.
“A piece of wood holds the memory of the tree it came from—the seasons it endured, the hands that shaped it.
Through my process, it becomes both object and story,” he shares. This poetic perspective shapes his practice, offering viewers a tactile connection to the past and an invitation to see the invisible.
Sture Pallarp -> Masks: (from left to right) 1. Rosso/Nero (2022) 2. A Hero of Our Time (2021) 3. Mr. Sanders (2024) 4. Nero/Rosso (2024) 4. Mr. Sanders (2024) | Image Courtesy of the Artist
For Pallarp, sculpture isn’t just about creating forms; it’s about discovering hidden layers of meaning within his materials.
Guided by an intuitive process, he allows the materials themselves to shape the final outcome, a method that aligns with broader trends in contemporary art celebrating material agency.
Sture Pallarp: Sculptures -> 1. So It Goes (2022), 2. Paul Schreck (2023), 3. Horned Lizard, 4. Sherif Ali (2023), The Letter, (2024) (2024) 6. Hemulen (2024) | Image Courtesy of the Artist
Themes of memory, mortality, and wonder are central to his work, elevating his pieces from mere objects to narratives.
His sculptures are quiet yet resonant, bridging the personal and the universal to spark reflection in his audience.
Sture Pallarp: (left) Ke-mo sah-bee (2015) (right) : Tuco (2023) | Image Courtesy of the Artist
Playfulness is a vital element in Pallarp’s creative process.
By embracing accidents and imperfections, he uncovers unexpected connections and meanings, ensuring his work feels sincere and alive.
Inside Sture Pallarp's creative space | Image courtesy of the artist
A glimpse into Sture Pallarp's studio | Image courtesy of the artist
This openness to experimentation situates him in a broader artistic dialogue that values authenticity and the beauty of the unexpected
Bridging Generations: A Tribute to Åke Pallarp
In 2022, Pallarp undertook a deeply personal project, designing the visual identity for Åke Pallarp – Upprymd, a retrospective at Färgfabriken celebrating the legacy of his father, Åke Pallarp.
The project was a heartfelt tribute, blending Sture’s creative expertise with his father’s enduring impact.
Like much of Sture’s own work, the exhibition explored themes of architecture, space, and emotion, offering a nuanced perspective on the intersection of personal history and cultural legacy.
Contributing to Larger Conversations
Pallarp’s work resonates far beyond the studio, touching on pressing global themes like sustainability and the stories embedded in everyday materials.
His focus on material history and memory bridges environmental concerns with emotional and cultural narratives, creating works that explore loss, transformation, and the passage of time.
By reimagining familiar materials, Pallarp invites us to look beyond the visible, to uncover the unseen connections between ourselves, our histories, and the objects we interact with.
His ability to blend design, sculpture, and storytelling positions him as a distinctive voice in contemporary art—one whose work speaks to the evolving ways we engage with art, materials, and meaning.
Support and follow Sture Pallarp on Instagram, discover his graphic design work on Sture´s website, and dive deeper into his world, where every swipe is a surprise.
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