About
Every Moment is a Memory
Akke Hugh Malmeström was a visual artist, graphic artist and artisan born in 1894 in Gothenburg. He was the son of the merchant John Daniel Malmeström and Amy Ogden.
He studied at the Arts and Crafts School in Gothenburg under Harald Biljer-Hedgren, later at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich from 1911−1915, and then at the Bavarian Mosaic Institute. He made study trips to Rome to conduct mosaic studies in the Vatican.
He exhibited in Rome in 1916 together with David Jette, and in Sundsvall with the artist Else Hermansson in 1944. During the years 1922−1924 he stayed in Paris and took part at the Académie Colarossi. He then moved to Hamburg where he was active for six years. He also participated in some of Sweden's general art association's exhibitions and several with Dalarna's art association in Falun. In 1928 he married Maria Prins from Tasbäck, where the couple settled and Malmeström established himself as both a graphic artist and a fine artist.
Malmeström was primarily known as a painter, but also obtained commissions to do large murals and many tile mosaic works. Among his public works are marble mosaics above the baptismal for Siljansnäs church, a marble decoration for Garpenberg's church, a stone mosaic of Mary and the Child Jesus donated to Sala Christian Church, and mosaic works on the facade of the old town hall in Munich. He also created a mosaic titled, "Italian Madonna" for the Immanuel Church in Åsbogatan, two mosaic works in the Stora Sköndal's church, and a natural stone mosaic above the baptismal altar in Kristinehamn church.
His art consisted of depictions of folk life such as weddings and midsummer celebrations from Dalarna, and landscapes, and woodcuts. The work above is a typical village scene painted by the artist using bold colors and a thick impasto to create texture in the painting.
The artist is represented in the Örebro County Museum and Leksand Art Museum.
Photo of the artist
Akke Hugh Malmeström, c.1934
Later photo of the artist
Akke Hugh Malmeström, with his daughter and grandson in his studio in Siljansnäs
Title:
"Last Road from the Village", 1937
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(Likely a scene from the village of Tasbäck in Siljansnäs parish in Leksand municipality, central Dalarna.)
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Artist:
Akke Hugh Malmeström (1894−1968)
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Type:
Oil on hardboard
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Size:
40 x 50 cm
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Signed:
Lower left
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RHA I.D.#:
RHA-01/2010-036
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Status:
Unavailable (gifted)
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