Let's start with August Strindberg, our internationally known novelist. August Strindberg was clearly before his time. He experimented, tried new concepts and eventually developed his own profile. This in opposition to the rigid and controlled society of his time. His masterpieces we still enjoy today.

From the time of Strindberg some Swedes have always tried to go their own ways and in many areas been and continue to be successful. The last century has proven to be one unbroken ventu- re, where a few outstanding inventors have, like Strindberg, tried new ideas and developed their own inventions.

Swedes really enjoy working with challenges and they don't give up. Another caracteristic of Swedes is to value quality, whether in work, performance, or final results.

It's not lack of freedom or lack of democracy, it is conformity. Too many Swedes restrict them- selves not to try their wings. You see, in Sweden trees grow slowly.

The easy answer is nothing, but that is not quite true. In an environment of "slow growing trees", there are still individuals who dare to turn upside down established facts. Just like August Strindberg, they break with conformity and accept challenges.

These trends are clearly shown by contemporary Swedish artists, who create an art visualizing the future. The artists of today's Sweden praise individuality, non conformity, no special school or ism. Contemporary artists in Sweden have the following common denominator:

To identify the avant garde and progress to come, you have here a unique selection of artists with this in common.

They are all different,
    but radiate the same strength
They are all experienced,
    but suffer the same pain fighting
    for their own cause
They are all shaped in a conformist environment,
    but are all animated by the same defiance.

These artists from the country of the slow growing trees already presage the supersedes of tomorrow.