Tommy Östmars oeuvre revolves around two main categories, the woman and the robot, which can be seen as the female opposite and the artist’s alter ego. The undulating movement stands in stark contrast to the inflexibility of the robot. Despite their stiffness the cubist robots are filled with dynamic and it’s in the meeting between the two that Östmar's imagery is summarized.

Östmars model studies are characterized by a strong dynamic flow. The movement is quickly captured and carried into the next drawing with ease. The never-ending flow between the studies makes it possible for the viewer to take part of the feverish atmosphere that must have prevailed in the relationship between the artist and his model. It is said that Östmar described the meeting with his model as a state of trance in which drawing after drawing was made, only stopping when he ran out of paper.

The intuitive link between eye and hand may appear immediate but it takes an eternity to reach. Östmar's model studies are more than just croquis they represent the essence of the artist's temperament.


1976-1986
Professor at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Stockholm, Sweden
Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts, Stockholm, Sweden


EDUCATION

1957-1962
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Stockholm, Sweden


SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2011
Lars Bohman Gallery, Stockholm, Sweden

2005
Galleri Astley, Uttersberg, Sweden
Finspångs Konstförening, Finspång, Sweden

2001
Galleri Krister Fahl, Stockholm, Sweden
Konstnärshuset, Stockholm, Sweden

2000
Konstforum, Norrköping, Sweden

1998
Galleri Leger, Malmö, Sweden
Galleri Remi, Östersund, Sweden

1997
Konstakademien, Salarna, Stockholm, Sweden

1995
Olle Olsson-huset, Stockholm, Sweden

1994
Galleri Christina Höglund, Stockholm, Sweden
Galleri Krister Fahl, Stockholm, Sweden

1993
Station Skelderhus, Munka Ljungby, Sweden
Konstepidemin, Gothenburg, Sweden

1991
Galleri Olsson, Stockholm, Sweden

1990
Kavaletten, Uppsala, Sweden

1989
Galleri Olsson, Stockholm, Sweden

1987
Thielska Galleriet, Stockholm, Sweden
Galleri Astley, Uttersberg, Sweden

1984
Galleriet, Lund, Sweden

1983
Galleri Blanche, Stockholm, Sweden

1982
Bror Hjorts Hus, Uppsala, Sweden
Galleri Birgersson, Halmstad, Sweden
Galleri 1, Gothenburg, Sweden

1981
Galleri Händer, Malmö, Sweden
Skövde Konsthall, Skövde, Sweden

1979
Galleri Lucifer, Skövde, Sweden

1978
Galleri Händer, Malmö, Sweden

1977
Galleri I, Gothenburg, Sweden

1976
Galleriet, Lund, Sweden

1975
Galleri Lucifer, Skövde, Sweden
Galleri Händer, Malmö, Sweden

1974
Galleri Prisma, Stockholm, Sweden

1972
Galleri Prisma, Stockholm, Sweden

1966
Galleri Dr Glas, Stockholm, Sweden
Galleriet, Lund, Sweden
Galleri Blanche, Stockholm, Sweden

1964
Galleri Blanche, Stockholm, Sweden


GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2012
Lars Bohman Gallery, Stockholm, Sweden

2004
Liljevalchs Konsthall, Stockholm, Sweden
Thielska Galleriet, Stockholm, Sweden

2001
Kajsa & Olle Nymans Stiftelse, Stockholm, Sweden

1992
Liljevalchs Konsthall, Stockholm, Sweden

1984
Svenska Original, Oslo-Helsinki-Copenhagen, Norway, Finland, Denmark
Albertina, Wien, Austria

1982
Kulturhuset, Stolta Stad, Stockholm, Sweden

1981
Amos Anderssons Museum, Spelets Regler, Helsinki, Finland


PUBLIC COMMISSIONS

2004
Södra Länken, tunnel project, Stockholm, Sweden

1993
Sculpture for Tekniska Verken, Linköping, Sweden

1992
SEB, Rissne, Sweden
Expo´92, Sevilla, Spain

1983
Sculpture, Planverkets gård, Västerbroplan, Stockholm, Sweden

1978
Courthouse, Umeå, Sweden


AWARDS

1998
Prince Eugen’s medal