Lotta Sjöberg
Illustrator
Hägersten, Sweden
Recommended by Paolo Rui
Illustrations of power and protest
- Lotta is one of the pioneering artists in comics craftivism in Sweden
- Her illustrations carry messages of feminism and justice
- She specialises in hand drawn, digital and textile illustration
Lotta Sjöberg is an illustrator who utilises a diverse range of materials and techniques, such as embroidery, to express her themes. After initially training to be a teacher, she went to art school and graduated with a BFA in graphic design and illustration from Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm. “As nobody in my family worked with art, I did not know it was possible to become an illustrator and make a living from the craft,” Lotta says. After working for a major Swedish newspaper, she realised she had found her true passion and left her teaching career behind. Today, Lotta works from her private workshop on commissions for trade unions and Swedish organisations, focusing on topics such as feminism, employee rights and parenthood.
Discover her work
INTERVIEW
I have a deep love for line work. My style varies from realistic depictions to cartoon characters, depending on the project. I often combine comic art with embroidery, a genre called comic craftivism. It brings together textiles and illustrations to tell a story or deliver a strong message. For me, drawing is a way of thinking to solve problems.
I integrate embroidery into my work to create what I call embroidered illustrations. While I love drawing with pencil and ink, or with digital tool for commissions, I find myself embroidering a lot more now. Although it is more time-consuming than drawing, it brings me a great deal of joy to mix media and explore different techniques.
When I embroider a message, I have time to think while working. Unlike the quick process of drawing, embroidery allows my ideas to change. In a fast-paced world, the slow becomes meaningful, almost a form of protest. This meditative activity allows people to reconnect with a deep, human heritage.
Illustration is about more than just technical skill. It is important to have stories and messages to share with the world. Do not fear AI: drawing is thinking, and human thought and imagination will always be essential. Experiment with different materials and you will never get bored. Your style does not have to be consistent.
