Ruoxi is a Master’s student from China. She loves art and art history, and after working in a public museum during the pandemic, she decided that she wanted to become a curator.

"I’m interested in the intersection of Art and Technology, specifically focusing on interactive new media art. When I was born, my grandfather was just about to retire. He started to spend more time with oil painting, classic Chinese painting, Chinese root carving, and shufa—a type of calligraphy art using Chinese characters. I was so lucky to have the chance to sit by his side and watch him work when I was young. His passion for art deeply inspired me, and it sparked my own love for classical art.

I obtained my BA degree in Art History. I was mainly focused on classic artists, particularly Dutch Golden Age oil paintings, and art history, like global trade and how Chinese export porcelain made its way to Western countries, and how art became a part of people’s daily lives, appearing in their homes. And when Dutch oil painters started making portraits or landscapes, you’d often see Chinese porcelain somewhere in their paintings. I became really interested in how this happened, how world trade influenced daily life, and how art made its way into people’s homes.

The master’s programme I’m studying is focused on culture and aesthetics. Sometimes, what we learn isn’t just about looking at the art itself, but also understanding the trends, the stories behind the art, and the broader lessons art can teach us.

During my junior year, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Venice Biennale. It was in 2019, and I spent a whole month there, working as an exhibition host. I soaked myself in contemporary arts in the exhibitions in different pavilions a that ignited a passion for curating in me. And the deeper I dig into the area, the more interested I become.

In our study programme, we have the opportunity to curate an exhibition in collaboration with Fine art students. We have mentors guiding us, but for the most part, we manage things ourselves, and it’s a really nice way to try things out without fear of failure. And I think that’s important because you need to develop this kind of confidence if you want to succeed."

Ruoxi Gao

Master's Programme in Curating, including Art, Management and Law

Brynja Sveinsdóttir studied the International Master's Program in Curating, including Art, Management and Law

–As part of my programme I worked as an intern for ten weeks at Moderna Museet in Stockholm. My internship turned into a six month project based hire as curatorial assistant, where I worked on the exhibition Ett sätt att leva at Moderna Museet Malmö.

–I now work as project manager at Gerðarsafn Kópavogur Art Museum, where I take care of the events, education and manage the museum's art collection. I have also curated exhibitions at the museum.

Hear from our alumni in Curating

The hierarchy is low at Stockholm University.

Katharina Deppisch from Germany was interested in the gender and feminism focus at the Department of Culture and Aesthetics. She studied Art History.

Interview with Katharina Deppisch, Art History

You get to interact a lot.

Nadine Keller from Germany studied Media and Communications and went to Stockholm University to take the course Swedish History of Ideas at the Department of Culture and Aesthetics.

Interview with Nadine Keller, History of Ideas

Hi! My name is Juanita and I am from Colombia. I studied the Master's Programme in Literature at Stockholm University.

I fell in love with the city.

Juliette van den Dorpel from the Netherlands was interested in Sweden so she applied for studies in Theatre and Film at Stockholm University and after her exchange she finished her Bachelor.

Interview with Juliette van den Dorpel, Theatre and Performance Studies

I love the dynamics in groups with students from different countries and backgrounds.

”We learn a lot from each other and really make use of our differences.”

Magdalena Holdar is a teacher in Art History. She has worked in an international setting for many years and stresses that Stockholm is a city of opportunities for humanities students.

”When you study our international master’s programmes you don’t only meet Stockholm University’s students and lecturers but also have the chance to establish useful contacts at museums and other important art institutions. We have many successful collaborations in this area.”

Magdalena Holdar's research