Julia Humbla – Painter of the Year 2026

Jury motivation

Julia Humbla is recognised for her refined and emotionally resonant figurative practice. With a restrained palette and a delicate visual rhythm, she captures moments of human closeness with remarkable sensitivity and clarity. The jury was particularly drawn to her ability to translate vulnerability, tenderness and quiet strength into a cohesive artistic language that feels both deeply personal and universally affecting.

Upon winning Painter of the Year 2026, Julia says:

"Winning the inaugural Desenio Art Award means so much to me. More than anything, it became a confirmation that what I create truly resonates with others. I think most artists and creative people doubt themselves far more often than we would like to admit. Creating art means sharing a part of yourself with the world, and without encouragement or recognition, that can sometimes feel incredibly vulnerable. Of course, it changed something in me. It made me grow, both as an artist and as a person. To be the very first winner of the Desenio Art Award is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and it has given me even more courage to continue creating and to believe in what I do."

About Julia's work

Julia spends several weeks each year in the Stockholm Archipelago at her family's summer house. "Nature is where I find most of my inspiration, in the changing seasons, the quiet landscapes, and the everyday moments with my children. Although many of my ideas are born in the archipelago, I usually bring them home with me and paint in our apartment in Stockholm, where my studio is simply a corner of our home."

Julia's paintings invite the viewer to slow down. "My work is inspired by the quiet beauty of everyday life, the soft Scandinavian light, and the emotions that often live within our memories rather than the moments themselves. Instead of capturing a scene exactly as it happened, I try to paint how it felt."

Motherhood has become one of the greatest influences on her work and her daughters' experience of the world inspires her art. "I'm drawn to themes of childhood, stillness, and nostalgia, creating scenes that feel both deeply personal and universal. I often leave parts of my paintings undefined, allowing the viewer to complete the story with their own memories and emotions."