Emily Sundblad’s exhibition Crayfish Theater at Stockholm’s iconic restaurant Teatergrillen, which celebrates its eightieth anniversary in 2025. Teatergrillen, a favored dining venue of legendary film and theater director Ingmar Bergman, derives its name from its close association with the nearby Royal Dramatic Theatre, reinforcing its storied connection to Sweden’s cultural and artistic heritage.

Sundblad’s presentation at Teatergrillen will feature an interplay of paintings on canvas and works on paper, forming a visual reflection on the Swedish tradition of kräftskiva (crayfish party). This annual celebration, held each August, is a quintessentially Swedish festivity marked by communal joy and seasonal ritual. The exhibition will draw upon the symbolic resonance of the crayfish, an emblem of summer’s waning days, nostalgia, and cultural unity.

The presentation weaves the sensory and performative aspects of kräftskiva into Sundblad’s often humorous and lighthearted works. The crayfish party—traditionally accompanied by spirited toasts of aquavit and the singing of folk songs—becomes both a literal and metaphorical framework for the exhibition. Sundblad’s exploration delves into themes of tradition, collective memory, and the ephemeral nature of seasonal celebrations. By integrating these motifs, the show reflects not only on Swedish culinary culture, but also on the broader interplay between art, ritual, and social cohesion.