Janina Renström

Through painting Janina Renström wants to tell, but also to mislead. She processes photographs out of older private photo albums that are loaded with something that is difficult to decipher. Frozen moments that the owner barely remembers, in which the meaning has begun to blur. In the translation from photography to painting and combining with cinematic text fragments, she creates a shift in the reading of the image.

In the triptych I never thought I'd say this on TV, we are invited to a private room with five female figures of different ages. The title alludes to a line recognisable from reality series. Just as such television productions show a corrected image of reality, Janina Renström strives for an imitation of authenticity, but also a relationship between the viewer and the eyes that meet us in her paintings.

Janina Renström was awarded the Paul Peterson Prize 2024 on the grounds that she; “creates a narrative richness that spans time and space. Her art is an interesting addition to Småland historiography and raises questions about how we shape our stories and construct memories.” The scholarship is awarded to art students from Jönköping County and includes project funds and an exhibition at Småland's Art Archive Vandalorum next year.

Janina Renström (born 1997 in Nässjö) holds a master's degree from the School of Fine Arts at Umeå University and previously studied art at Lunnevads Folkhögskola. She was awarded the Paul Peterson Prize 2024 from Region Jönköping County and the Cultural Council's scholarship in Umeå 2024. In 2025 she has been exhibited at GSA Gallery, Market Art Fair at Liljevalchs and Nässjö Konsthall.

Thanks to: Region Jönköping County