Ulf Wahlberg

Ulf Wahlberg (b: August 31 1938, d: January 26 2014), Swedish artist most known for his paintings of American cars in desolate landscapes.

When he grew up as a young boy in the second half of the 1940s, in Stockholm's then newly built southern suburbs, there were few cars and when the 1950s came, the sight of a rare and elegant American was something that etched itself on the young Ulf Wahlberg's retina. The cars' sweeping lines, panoramic windows and large fins became his style ideal and source of inspiration in painting.

As early as 1965, he got to know Hot-Rod legend Bosse Sandberg. A few years later, the two went on an unforgettable garage tour in Stockholm's southern suburbs, where all the then-mythical Hot Rods were displayed as well as custom builds, one wilder than the other.
In 1965 he made his first trip to America, it lasted three months. He made the second trip together with his artist friend John-E Franzén for five months in 1966-1967. This trip not only led to a lifelong friendship, it also strongly influenced their respective artistry, the motifs and mood of those months have constantly returned in their paintings.

Wahlberg's interest in motor vehicles of all kinds was sparked already in childhood. According to him, the fact that it is mainly the environments and car models of the 1950s that inspired Wahlberg in his artistic creation was due to the environment he grew up in.

At the Hot Rod Show 1966 Marmorhallarna, several of Ulf's artwork was displayed.

Ulf lived in Älvsjö and owned a beautiful Chevrolet 1955 Bel Air.

The auction's painting was executed in 1966 when the artist's fascination with the sport was new and strong. Perhaps they represent one of Sandberg's own racing cars.

Ulf Wahlberg on Swedish Wikipedia