The Gannevik Scholarships 2025 awarded to Farnaz Arbabi, Mats Ek, Tom Hedqvist, Lars Kleen, Meshuggah and Gabriela Pichler – Six Artists Who Transform and Renew the Arts

One of Sweden’s most generous cultural awards, The Gannevik Scholarship, highlights the power of art and its significance to society. The Per Gannevik Foundation for Cultural Purposes announces this year’s recipients – six distinguished artists who, with boldness, integrity, and innovative expression, have shaped their respective fields.

From monumental sculpture and groundbreaking dance to socially engaged film, graphic design, progressive metal music and progressive theater that pushes boundaries – the 2025 laureates reflect the transformative and unifying power of the arts.

2025 Gannevik Scholarship Recipients

• Lars Kleen (Visual Arts)
• Mats Ek (Dance)
• Gabriela Pichler (Film)
• Tom Hedqvist (Design)
• Meshuggah (Music)
• Farnaz Arbabi (Theatre)

“This year’s recipients show that art not only reflects our time – it shapes it. Through their work, they challenge norms, give voice to the unseen and create new spaces for understanding and dialogue. We are proud to honor their work, ” says Benny Marcel, Chair of The Per Gannevik Foundation for Cultural Purposes.

About the Gannevik Foundation
Since 2013, The Per Gannevik Foundation for Cultural Purposes has awarded the Gannevik Scholarship – one of Sweden’s most prestigious recognitions for active artists. Each scholarship amounts to SEK 500,000 and is awarded to artists in the fields of visual arts, design, music, theatre, dance, and film who renew their disciplines with courage and integrity.

The scholarships were made possible by businessman and patron Per Gannevik, who in his will chose to make a significant contribution to Swedish art and culture. Through the foundation, he aimed to promote Sweden’s cultural heritage – not only through scholarships but also through other cultural initiatives. His donation totaled approximately SEK 70 million, of which the Swedish Arts Grants Committee received the largest share: around SEK 60 million. Stockholm University of the Arts and the Royal Swedish Opera each received SEK 5 million.

Since its inception, the Gannevik Scholarship has become a prestigious recognition of artistic excellence, social engagement and innovative expression – continuing to spotlight the role of art in contemporary society.

Contact
For contact details for each recipient and the foundation, please reach out to:
Josefin Morge, Head of Communications, Swedish Arts Grants Committee
Email: josefin.morge@konstnarsnamnden.se
Phone: +46 8 506 550 96
Swedish Arts Grants Committee - Welcome!

Press Release – Visual Arts: Lars Kleen

Lars Kleen Awarded the 2025 Gannevik Scholarship for Visual Arts

The Gannevik Foundation honors Lars Kleen for his monumental sculptures that exist in the borderland between art and architecture. Using reclaimed materials such as steel, brick, and timber, he creates works that embody the cycle of life – construction and dissolution, strength and fragility.

Motivation
Lars Kleen’s sculptures – or constructions – inhabit a space between sculpture and architecture. His works are complex and crafted with exceptional skill, using carefully selected and repurposed materials like steel, iron, wire, brick, and planks. Monumental in scale, they reflect the life cycle of building and decay, strength and vulnerability. In a time marked by uncertainty and conflict, Kleen’s artistic legacy is both relevant and vital.

“Lars Kleen’s artistry is a reminder of how material and form can carry existential narratives. In a time of upheaval and change, his works are both timely and timeless,” says Benny Marcel, Chair of the Per Gannevik Foundation for Cultural Purposes.

“As the saying goes, ‘No man is an island.’ Without the tremendous support I’ve felt over the years from people who believed in me – especially my family – I wouldn’t be in a position to receive this scholarship. A heartfelt thank you to the Swedish Arts Grants Committee and especially to the Gannevik Foundation,” says Lars Kleen.

Advice to a younger colleague starting out in the arts:

“Do as musicians do – constantly practice your instrument. In this case, your eye and your hand,” says Lars Kleen.

Press Release – Dance: Mats Ek

Mats Ek Awarded the 2025 Gannevik Scholarship for Dance

Mats Ek has revolutionized the art of dance with his unique choreographic voice. His works are playful, poetic, and psychologically profound – even everyday objects come to life on stage. With international impact, he has shaped the future of dance.

Motivation
Mats Ek has had an unparalleled influence on the development of dance in Sweden and internationally. Playful and grounded, poetic and expressive – with his distinctive dance vocabulary, he articulates the unspoken and adds psychological and existential depth to classical narratives. Beloved by audiences and critics alike, Ek pushes the boundaries of dance in stage settings where even pots and tables are allowed to dance.

“Mats Ek has given dance a new language – one that speaks to both heart and intellect. His artistry is a gift to the performing arts,” says Benny Marcel, Chair of the Per Gannevik Foundation for Cultural Purposes.

“Of course I’m happy – very happy – to receive the Gannevik Scholarship! It comes late in life – I’m 80! – so for me, it’s a welcome recognition for long and faithful service,” says Mats Ek.

Advice to a younger colleague starting out in the arts:

“I don’t really have advice for young choreographers, except to ignore advice from others and find your own path,” says Mats Ek.

Press Release – Film: Gabriela Pichler

Gabriela Pichler Awarded the 2025 Gannevik Scholarship for Film

With a sharp eye and deep social engagement, Gabriela Pichler has created new reference points for Swedish cinema. By highlighting the perspectives of the working class, migrants, and young women, she has moved and challenged audiences.

Motivation
Film director Gabriela Pichler has redefined what Swedish film can be. With sharp realism, empathy, and social awareness, she portrays perspectives often invisible in public discourse – bringing to light the lives of the working class, migrants and young women. Her stories about contemporary Sweden touch, entertain, provoke, and open up space for more people to see their lives reflected in Swedish film.

“Gabriela Pichler gives voice to those rarely heard in the world of film. Her stories pave the way for a more inclusive and reality-based Swedish cinema,” says Benny Marcel, Chair of the Per Gannevik Foundation for Cultural Purposes.

“It’s overwhelming to receive the news that I’ve been awarded the Gannevik Scholarship. Especially in times when the climate for cultural workers is tough this scholarship offers the opportunity and time to continue working with artistic edge and integrity,” says Gabriela Pichler.

Advice to a younger colleague starting out in the arts:

“You’re not strong alone. To be brave, you have to take risks – and risks are easier to take when shared. Find your crew – people whose criticism you trust, who can be your sparring partners and who genuinely want the best for you,” says Gabriela Pichler.

Press Release – Design: Tom Hedqvist

Tom Hedqvist Awarded the 2025 Gannevik Scholarship for Design

Tom Hedqvist has explored the expressive power of stripes with graphic precision and playful creativity. From Arla’s iconic milk cartons to the bold patterns of the design collective 10-gruppen, he has created timeless visual languages. As an educator and leader, he has also shaped future generations of designers.

Motivation
Designer Tom Hedqvist is a consistent explorer of stripes as a graphic structure. In patterns such as Arla’s striped milk cartons or 10-gruppen’s “Zibidie,” he lets lines, rhythm, and color speak. As one of Sweden’s most accomplished designers, his contributions have been significant – both as a mentor to younger generations and as an artistic director, museum leader, and professor of graphic design.

“Tom Hedqvist has elevated graphic design into an art form that speaks to everyone. His work is both culturally and pedagogically invaluable,” says Benny Marcel, Chair of the Per Gannevik Foundation for Cultural Purposes.

“Wonderful, overwhelming, demanding…” is how Tom Hedqvist describes receiving the Gannevik Scholarship.

Advice to a younger colleague starting out in the arts:

“Appreciate the everyday. Absorb culture. See everything! Fight low self-esteem and performance anxiety. Be generous and encouraging to those just starting out,” says Tom Hedqvist.

Press Release – Music: Meshuggah

Meshuggah Awarded the 2025 Gannevik Scholarship for Music

For nearly four decades, Meshuggah has deepened and redefined progressive metal music. With technical brilliance and rhythmic complexity, they have created an artistic universe that inspires far beyond the boundaries of the genre.

Motivation:
Unyielding and steadfast, Meshuggah has expanded the realm of progressive metal. With roots in 1980s thrash, the band has refined its artistic universe through technical mastery and rhythmic innovation. Their expression challenges, moves, and includes. With relentless forward momentum, Meshuggah continues to redefine metal and inspire musicians and listeners far beyond the genre and Sweden’s borders.

“Meshuggah shows that the power of music lies in its ability to push boundaries. Their uncompromising expression has put Sweden on the global metal map,” says Benny Marcel, Chair of the Per Gannevik Foundation for Cultural Purposes.

“Receiving the Gannevik Scholarship is a big deal for us! It makes us proud of what we’ve accomplished over the decades, and it’s also proof that our music has reached people far beyond our original audience. It’s humbling and deeply appreciated,” says Tomas Haake of Meshuggah.

Advice to a younger colleague starting out in the arts:

“Believe in yourself and your idea, your art, your creation! If you feel strongly that what you’re doing is unique – or simply that ‘this is what I/we want to do’ – don’t give up!
If you’re a young band, ensemble, or group of artists – find the right people who share your vision and drive. If you’re a solo artist – seek out a supportive environment with positive energy and don’t let skeptics drag you down,” says Tomas Haake.

“When we were young and just starting out, we all heard things like ‘this isn’t something to build a future on’ or ‘sure, as long as it’s just a hobby – but you need a real job too.’ And of course, their concerns were valid. But we refused to let it stop us.
We found strength in our unity and shared conviction: ‘This is what we want, what we will do – no matter what others say or think!’ So believe in yourselves and go for it!” says Tomas Haake.

Press Release – Theatre: Farnaz Arbabi

Farnaz Arbabi Awarded the 2025 Gannevik Scholarship for Theatre

With courage and artistic integrity, Farnaz Arbabi has renewed Swedish theatre. Through productions that explore identity, power, and belonging, she has created space for new stories on our stages.

Motivation
Farnaz Arbabi is a groundbreaking theatre director and playwright who, with boldness, clarity, and artistic integrity, has enriched the landscape of Swedish theatre.[MR8] Her productions are deeply rooted in social issues surrounding identity, power, and belonging in today’s multicultural Sweden. With a powerful and visionary language[MR9] [JM10] of the stage, she challenges norms and paves the way for urgent new narratives.

“Farnaz Arbabi is a voice for the most pressing issues of our time. Her theatre is both artistically powerful and socially transformative,” says Benny Marcel, Chair of the Per Gannevik Foundation for Cultural Purposes.

“Being awarded the Gannevik Scholarship is incredibly humbling – I’m both happy and moved! It’s a recognition of my artistic work and a chance to continue creating freely – something we theatre artists are rarely afforded. Thank you!” says Farnaz Arbabi.

Farnaz Arbabi on her artistic practice:

“Performing arts are called the art of the present – not only because they are ephemeral, but because they are shaped by the circumstances and environment in which they are created. Theatre is never perfect; it’s a constant process. In communication and contact. Just like humanity. Just like life. I love that.
On a personal level, I’m driven by being in constant motion and development – to invent and renew expressions, not just to freeze time but to expand it. I’m drawn to the cracks and friction, to locate the fractures and play within them – to blur the line between the theatrical and the everyday, the elevated and the low, the beautiful and the ugly,” says Farnaz Arbabi.

Advice to a younger colleague starting out in the arts:

“Don’t just think about what you want to do – think about how you want to do it. Coming up with ideas is the easy part; the real work is in realizing them.
Find your tribe. Theatre is a collective art form – find people you can create with.
Start now. Don’t wait to be invited – create your own spaces instead. Do, do, do – don’t wait for perfect conditions. They’ll never come,” says Farnaz Arbabi.