Mauritz Karström was an eccentric in the Swedish culture scene. His education included studies at the Nordic Art School in Finland and at the Valand School of Fine Art in Gothenburg. He suffered from schizophrenia and used painting as an incantation against anxiety and as a celebration of life. He worked intuitively and close to his subconscious. Karström’s work is expressive and in many ways unsettling. This unique painting talent expressed itself in vivid, bright colours and spontaneous forms which on canvas or paper meet in a wild dance. Karström created many portraits, most likely meant as self-portraits, with faces turned into grotesque masks.