Viktor Mattsson’s paintings and drawings unfold in a surrealist realm, where distorted, highly expressive figures convey both tension and vulnerability. Drawing on archetypal characters embedded in cultural consciousness—such as devils, clowns, and cowboys—his work constructs narratives that explore the enduring conflict between good and evil, often placing troubled figures in repetitive, minimalistic settings where moments of melancholy, indulgence, and violence unfold. His practice engages with themes rooted in Western art historical iconography, reinterpreting moral struggles and universal human dilemmas. The devil recurs as a symbol of malevolence, the cowboy embodies ideals of heroism, and the clown reflects the ephemeral and mutable nature of humour. Occasional motifs, like delicate butterflies, introduce moments of serenity and beauty, contrasting with the darker emotional currents of his compositions. By juxtaposing opposing emotions—joy and sorrow, humour and melancholy, aggression and fragility—Mattsson crafts visual narratives that probe the complexity of human experience. His work invites reflection on the contradictions inherent in life, revealing how vulnerability, resilience, and emotion coexist to define the richness of shared humanity. ...
