Another unusual piece signed by Camilla (SCEB) can be found on Vallgatan in central Gothenburg. This time, it´s not a banner, but a Torverk bi-folding industrial door, transformed into a work of art titled "Vibrant Urban Jungle."
The project was part of Art Made This, an initiative by property company Vasakronan to highlight female artists in public spaces. The idea was to replace graffitied gates and shutters with art that would brighten the street and bring joy to passers-by.
"There are similar projects all over the country. Street art and graffiti are seen as popular art today," says Camilla, who was born in Stockholm, grew up in Forshaga, and now lives and works in Gothenburg.
"Vibrant Urban Jungle" is the name of this artwork by S Camilla E Boström, painted on an industrial door from Torverk, at Vallgatan in Gothenburg, Sweden.
What´s the commercial value of art?
For centuries, art has been used to persuade and to sell – from religion to ketchup. Art stirs emotions, tells stories, and raises awareness of important issues.
A Swedish study from 2008 titled Art Infusion – The Perception and Evaluation of Visual Art concluded that product advertising with fine art is rated more positively than the same advertising without art, or with a generic image.
In short: art convinces.
The intials "SCEB" stands for S Camilla E Boström och Suffer The Consequences or Enjoy The Benefits.
Art makes companies more visible
Businesses can also use art to stand out, create interest, and build a stronger identity.
In 2017, the steel company Voestalpine Precision Strip AB in Munkfors gained global attention when designer Naim Josefi used their ultrathin, blue cold-rolled steel (0.22 mm) to create a dress. The story spread worldwide.
Art increases wellbeing and efficiency
If art can brighten up the street, why not the workplace?
"I know that art in the workplace increases wellbeing, sparks conversations, and maybe even boosts efficiency," says Camilla E Boström.
That statement is backed by a Swedish study in which respondents evaluated photos of offices, some with art on the walls and some without. The workplaces with art triggered significantly more positive responses.
While the study doesn´t measure actual productivity, it''''s a strong indication that art shapes how we perceive our environment.
Why is there so little art in industry?
In a typical Swedish factory, you might find a couple of paintings – perhaps a portrait of an old mill owner – but only in the office areas. Out on the shop floor? Almost never.
If corporate culture is so important, and if art has a proven positive impact on wellbeing, then why hasn''''t anyone thought of bringing art into industrial spaces?
A painting like Camilla Boström''''s, with its bold colours and imaginative expression, forces us to see industrial doors with new eyes.
And after all this, one can''''t help but wonder:
How would an industrial workplace change if it embraced art?