The American Swedish Institute (ASI) in Minneapolis will host Somali-born Swedish artist Salad Hilowle’s first U.S. solo exhibition in 2025, giving audiences an introspective glimpse into the complexities of Afro-Swedish and Somali identities in Sweden. Running from June 21 to October 26, the exhibition will use video, photography, sculpture, and performance to explore themes of resilience, cultural memory, and belonging within the Somali diaspora.
Raised in Gävle, Sweden after emigrating from Somalia as a child, Hilowle has emerged as one of Scandinavia’s leading voices on Afro-Swedish perspectives. Through his art, he sheds light on often-overlooked narratives within Swedish cultural history, resonating deeply with both Somali and African communities. ASI President and CEO Molly Steenson noted, “Hilowle’s work doesn’t just add visibility to Afro-Swedes—it invites us to consider their experiences and contributions in new, profound ways.”
Curated by Berlin-based Sagal Farah and co-hosted by the Somali Museum of Minnesota, the exhibition will feature key pieces from Hilowle’s previous work, including Passion of Remembrance (2020). This video installation uses a blend of archival footage and staged scenes to present a nuanced view of Black identity in Sweden, reinterpreting classic Swedish cultural symbols from an Afro-Swedish perspective. By bridging his Somali heritage with Swedish culture, Hilowle invites viewers to engage deeply with themes of home, migration, and the complexities of identity.
Holding an MFA from the Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm, Hilowle has shown his work across prominent Swedish venues, such as Kulturhuset, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and Gävle Konstcentrum. His acclaimed 2022 novel, Halima om de sina, a nominee for the Swedish Photo Book Award, further investigates the diaspora experience and adds dimension to his artistic exploration of identity. Recognized with awards like Sweden’s Rettig’s Artist Scholarship, his works now belong to significant collections at Moderna Museet and Västerås Art Museum.
Hilowle’s exhibition will join ASI’s 2025 program, which will feature prominent Swedish artists, including Lars Tunbjörk and Ann Wolff. Yet, Hilowle’s contribution is uniquely impactful for Somali and Afro-Swedish communities in the U.S., offering a rare, culturally rich perspective on the diaspora experience. Curator Sagal Farah remarked, “Hilowle’s work creates space for overlooked voices, blending personal stories with universal themes of migration and cultural memory.”
For ASI, this exhibition represents an opportunity to foster cross-cultural dialogue, allowing Somali viewers to see aspects of their own journey reflected in Scandinavian art. For other audiences, Hilowle’s work will stand as a moving reminder of migration’s complexities and the multifaceted nature of belonging, urging reflection on the many ways one might find a sense of home across borders and generations.
