Currently on display at China Cultural Center in Stockholm, the “Imaginära landskap” Art Exhibition showcases over 70 works by Swedish painters (Olof Bendz, Håkan Bull, Ricardo Donoso, Eleonor Ryding) and a Chinese sculptor (Wang Hui), using different artistic languages to explore common human emotions and experiences.
To allow everyone to delve deeper into the artist’s inner world and experience the profound expressions behind the paintings, recently, Ricardo Donoso, one of the exhibition’s co-curators and an artist, joined forces with artists Olof Bendz and Eleonor Ryding, and over 20 audience members, to embark on an artistic dialogue spanning vision and spirit.
Aurora on Canvas: Ricardo Donoso’s Inner Landscape
The exhibition’s co-curator, Ricardo Donoso, first presented an insightful art mini-lesson. He shared the context of art history in an accessible way and guided everyone on “how to appreciate a painting,” helping to break down barriers to art appreciation.
Subsequently, he shared two of his most visually striking works—”Aurora” and “Amanecer.” The unique blue and orange interwoven in the paintings were not imagined out of thin air but originated from a startling real-life observation. Ricardo recounted that he once witnessed a factory explosion and leakage, and the sight of toxic liquids flowing freely deeply pained him. He transformed this environmental concern and inner shock into the tense colors and lines on the canvas, allowing viewers to appreciate the beauty while also feeling the artist’s profound reflection on reality.
Ricardo was commissioned by artist Håkan Bull to interpret the “Pond Series” for everyone. Håkan’s inspiration stemmed from childhood memories—those bottomless ponds that were synonymous with “danger” in the eyes of adults. This childhood warning fostered many associations in the child’s mind, and Håkan solidified this memory from childhood onto the canvas.
Mediterranean Light, Shadow, and Geometry: Olof Bendz’s Sunny Poem
Next, artist Olof Bendz led everyone into his vision of the Mediterranean. Olof’s paintings primarily feature landscapes from Denmark, Italy, France, and other Mediterranean coastal areas. He shared his pursuit of light and how he captures rhythmic geometric patterns in landscapes. In his works, strong light contrast is not merely a reproduction of natural phenomena but a unique language for constructing visual order and expressing inner tranquility and passion.
Introducing Light in Absolute Black: Deciphering Eleonor Ryding’s Technique
Finally, artist Eleonor Ryding unveiled the secret of the “black” in her paintings. She elaborated on her unique painting technique: creating a deep, pure “absolute black” through layers of repeatedly superimposed and polished paint. Her works subtly introduce light into this ultimate darkness. This extreme interplay of light and darkness imbues the painting with a mysterious and dynamic sense of breath.
Exhibition Guide
Exhibition Title: Imaginära landskap
Curator: Maria Nordsø Lundberg
Dates: April 24, 2026 – May 30, 2026
Venue: China Cultural Center in Stockholm
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00
