Robots Use Promarkers and Fineliners at Beckers’ Paint Factory

What do you get when you bring together an old factory, a philanthropic parent company, robots applying centuries-old artist techniques, a heritage brand and an art manufacturer dedicated to social impact? The answer? A Tove Kjellmark exhibition.
Located in Stockholm and built-in 1889, Färgfabriken was the original paint factory for our sister company, Beckers. The site was their home from 1902 until 1994 when Ulf G. Lindén, owner and founder of our parent company, Lindéngruppen, formed the Färgfabriken Foundation. Established by Alcro-Beckers AB, Colart Sweden AB and SAR (the Swedish Architects' Association), today, the site is used for exhibitions, workshops and talks with a vision to challenge, engage and create new connections and collaborations. Our current owner Jenny Lindén Urnes is its Chair.
Recently our team in Northern Europe reconnected with Färgfabriken in a collaboration that has formed their current exhibition. Titled The Horse, the Robot and the Immeasurable by Tove Kjellmark, the artist uses drawing tools to support her live projects.
Kjellmark is a trained sculptor who has developed a versatile and experimental practice where she moves freely between different media and materials. The exhibition presents a collection of newly produced works in the form of hybrid sculptures, videos, drawings, and a symbiotic performance in the form of a six-week uninterrupted movement in which the artist draws together with her robots.
With a deep emotional bond for horses, Tove selected this bold and beautiful creature as the subject for her ongoing study. She has unusually, juxtaposed this with the application of self-constructed robots. And why? Horses and humans have a long shared history. The horse has long assumed the role of a robot for human purposes. We still see this today, where many horses must perform well to earn their right to exist.
During the exhibition period, Tove works in the Open Studio, a dedicated space at Färgfabriken used to bring creators and audiences closer together.
With the support of her assistants, the robots, Tove uses Winsor & Newton Promarkers and Fineliners to create drawing collages that constantly change.
Did you know?
Lindéngruppen’s role in facilitating the creation of Färgfabriken is due to the engagement of Ulf G. Lindén, its former owner. When the building in Lövholmen stopped its paint production, Ulf G. Lindén, inspired by his love for art, decided to use the space to create a cultural venue. While Lindéngruppen’s sponsorship is a philanthropic gesture and a continuation of the company’s engagement with arts through the Beckers Art Award, Färgfabriken as a cultural venue could also help the company reach out to new fields and explore new ideas for its own development. In the meanwhile, the creation of a foundation and the separation of Färgfabriken’s daily operations from the company also ensured the curatorial independence of the new cultural centre.
![]()
Watch the robot in action by viewing the Färgfabriken instagram. Click here or use this link https://www.instagram.com/p/ClYZ8gfjSOj/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
Video demonstrating the self drawing robot
what a fabulous initiative – well done team Northern Europe for supporting this exhibition!