Honouring a Legacy: The Fredrik Roos Foundation and Its Commitment to Nordic Art
For the representatives active in the The Fredrik Roos Foundation, the late Fredrik Roos (1951–1991)’s passion for contemporary art continues to be a lasting inspiration.
Born in Malmö, Fredrik Roos began his art collection on his 18th birthday when he purchased a graphic print by Joan Miró, an acquisition made possible by the 1000 SEK he received from his parents as a reward for staying smoke-free during his teenage years.
This early purchase marked the beginning of a lifelong love for art collecting, particularly focused on Nordic contemporary art. In 1988, Fredrik founded the Rooseum – Centre for Contemporary Art – in an old power station in Malmö, Sweden. The museum showcased his collection of Nordic contemporary art alongside exhibitions by international artists.
The museum closed its doors in 2006, and around 60 works from the collection, valued between 200-400 million SEK at the time, were sold. The profit from this sale became the seed capital for the current foundation and grant, ensuring Fredrik Roos’ legacy continues to support the arts.
Today, the grant is one of Sweden’s most prestigious, awarded annually by the Fredrik Roos Foundation to young artists to support their education and the development of their artistry. Previous recipients include Paul Fägerskiöld (2013), Idun Baltzersen (2015), Sandra Mujinga (2016), Erik Uddén (2023), and most recently, Frida Peterson.
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Frida Peterson, Artipelag 2024. Photo by Barthélémy Garcia
Since 2018, the foundation has collaborated with Artipelag–a space that, like the former Rooseum, was born from the passion of a dedicated art collector. This partnership provides grant recipients with the opportunity to host an exhibition in conjunction with receiving the award, allowing them to showcase their talent and vision while also having the freedom to experiment, explore, and try new ideas.
For Axel Roos, Chairperson of the Foundation’s Board, this mission is essential, rooted in a desire to nurture young talent across the Nordic region. Reflecting on the foundation’s guiding principles, he explains:
“The foundation’s mission is to inspire and support young artists in the Nordic region. We currently collaborate with the Nordic art academies to reach potential recipients, as well as with our partner, Artipelag. However, the final decision is made by the members of the foundation, independently of any external influence, with the foundation’s statutes serving as the basis”
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Sara Nielsen Bonde, Artipelag 2019. Photo by Melina Hägglund
“All of our recipients have unique needs and aspirations, but our overarching goal is to foster artistic growth in ways they might not have been able to achieve otherwise. This could mean the luxury of taking risks–such as traveling, the opportunity to collaborate with peers from other disciplines or sharing their work on different platforms.”
This enduring commitment to bold exploration ensures the foundation remains a platform for groundbreaking artistry, echoing the visionary spirit that Fredrik Roos himself embodied.
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Gabriel Karosson, 2021. Photo by Paulina Simon
“The Foundation’s primary focus is on supporting artists who–following the spirit of Fredrik Roos–are willing to take risks in their artistry. We therefore look forward to seeing our recipients push boundaries, whether through their medium, craftsmanship, or subject matter.”
The 2025 recipient of the award will be revealed in connection with Market Art Fair 2025, and the recipient’s exhibition will be on view at Artipelag from the 16th of May. Representatives from Artipelag will be present at Liljevalchs, offering an opportunity to learn more about this year’s awardee and their work.