Yung Lean's first collective exhibition opens in Stockholm

Since a few days ago, a huge tapestry covers the corner of Stockholm's old gasworks. The fabric represents, among other things, a collage of several different paintings, and in the center is the name "Jonatan Leandoer Håstad", i.e. the artist Yung Lean.

This Friday morning, the artist's first collection exhibition "Collected works 2016-2026" opens, which shows a decade of Jonatan Leandoer Håstad's work. Among other things, ceramic sculptures, paintings, video works and collages are on display.

A little over an hour before opening, a long queue curls along the orange body of the building. At the front of the queue are friends Maxz Gårdstedt, Miriam Fredmark, Emelie Hermelin and Theodor Lidestad.

- It was still pitch dark outside when I got here at twenty past five. It feels good to be first because Yung Lean is one of Sweden's biggest artists and I listen to him a lot, says Teodor Lidestad.

The friends are wearing Yung Lean merch and some of them are holding green posters. The same green posters that have displayed large parts of Stockholm in recent days to advertise the exhibition.

- I have queued for eight hours and I partly want to see the art, partly to buy the stuff that is being sold before it runs out, says Miriam Fredman who has a necklace with the words "Sad Boys", i.e. the hyped music network that Yung Lean helped create.

- I hope that Yung Lean is there, that you get to meet him. But it also feels fun to see the art, emphasizes Miriam Fredman.

Italian, English and French can be heard in the group of fans. There are many who traveled long distances to take the chance to see Jonatan's art. Some of them are friends Pavlo Mikhlyk and Andrii Honchar from Ukraine. They have been living in Copenhagen for a couple of years now. Earlier today, they took the train from Denmark to go to the exhibition in Stockholm. In a few hours the train goes back to again.

- Of course I want to see Yung Lean's art. It's quite crazy for me, because I started listening to his music when I was ten years old, says Andrii Honchar.

- His music can help when you feel bad or have bad thoughts. He has a special aura that I like, adds Pavlo Mikhlyk.

The clock strikes twelve and the brown wooden doors open. The people in charge of the exhibition send the fans into a frenzy. Once inside, the vast majority do not direct their steps towards the exhibition hall, but to the right. There is a shop that sells, among other things, key rings, duvet covers and figurines by Jonatan Leandoer Håstad art.

The main character Yung Lean himself is not there, but after about fifteen minutes his parents arrive at the exhibition. The most die-hard fans, of course, recognize them and step forward, mobile camera at full blast, to have a chat with them – and thank them for their son's music, and tell them what he has meant to them.

The Ukrainians Pavlo Mikhlyk and Andrii Honchar have been in the exhibition hall for the first time.

- I am overwhelmed, there is such a good aura and energy here, says Pavlo Mikhlyk.

Read more:

Yung Lean's art installation is like a creative and open youth farm

Yung Lean exhibits his art in Stockholm