In Conversation: Julia Hallström Hjort

Painting became both recovery and discovery – a way for Julia Hallström Hjort to turn fragments of life into fragments of stories, inviting viewers to imagine their own.

Text by: Anna Falkenland

“A person I notice in a café, a scene on a crowded street corner, an old book in an antique shop. Anything I encounter while out walking can spark an idea.”

Tell us about yourself and how you got started with art.

- I have always enjoyed painting – mostly realistic and figurative work in the beginning. After finishing school, I studied medicine and psychology, but chronic pain led me to change direction. Painting became both a passion and an important part of my rehabilitation.

How has your style evolved over the years?

- I find it hard to stick to one specific style – I’d much rather experiment and learn by trying new techniques and media. For many years I painted only figurative art, but over time I’ve come to love abstract expressions as well.

What are your sources of inspiration?

- I draw a lot of inspiration from travelling and discovering new places: a person I notice in a café, a scene on a crowded street corner, an old book in an antique shop. Anything I encounter while out walking can spark an idea.

Has your work been influenced by other fields – for instance science, literature, music or travel?

- I studied medicine and psychology, and that has shaped the way I see people and the body. These subjects deepened an already existing interest in emotions and relationships, which I think can be felt in my art.

“I want my paintings to feel like a fragment of a story – perhaps the beginning or the end of a scene.”

What motivates you to create?

- Creating helps me feel both calm and alive. It is a way to process experiences and to bring harmony and beauty into a space.

How do you want people to feel when they experience your art?

- I hope my work brings a sense of calm, curiosity, and perhaps a brief pause in everyday life.

Do you see your art as storytelling?

- I often want my paintings to feel like a fragment of a story – perhaps the beginning or the end of a scene. The viewer is invited to imagine what happens before or after.

Do you think your art reflects more of yourself or the world around you?

- It’s both – I often paint from my inner world, but I also want my work to be open enough for others to project their own narratives onto it.