Stefan Daagarsson's Collection

Stefan Daagarsson (1947–2025)
A multifaceted and passionate cultural figure from Hälsingland

Stefan Daagarsson was a versatile and passionate cultural personality from Hälsingland, whose life’s work spanned several decades and artistic expressions. He was active as an artist, author, musician, publisher, and cultural entrepreneur, and his dedication to the local cultural scene left a lasting impact both in Hälsingland and across Sweden. His first book was published by Bonniers at the age of 19. Daagarsson also performed as a singer-songwriter and toured throughout the Nordic countries and Europe in the 1970s with his own songs.

A multifaceted artist
Daagarsson was self-taught and began his artistic career with paintings, often depicting rural life and the human condition. He held his first solo exhibition in Bollnäs in 1973 and continued to show his work at venues such as Galleri Katarina and Daagarssongården. His work was characterized by a warm color palette and a remarkable ability to capture the poetry of everyday life.

One of his most acclaimed projects was a tribute to Lim-Johan (Johan Erik Olsson), a naïve artist from Hälsingland. Daagarsson created a series of 17 paintings portraying Lim-Johan’s life and work, which resulted in the well-received Lim-Johan Room at Daagarssongården.

Author and publisher
In addition to his work as an artist, Daagarsson was also an author and publisher. He founded the publishing house Inferi, where he published his own works as well as books by other authors. Notably, he was the first to publish poetry by Ulf Lundell, who would go on to become one of Sweden’s most prominent writers and musicians.

The musician "Rotebergs-Raggarn"
In the 1980s, Daagarsson created the musical project Rotebergs-Raggarn, a humorous and satirical character. Under this name, he released several records and appeared on both radio and television, often in collaboration with the band Hanses Kometer.

Cultural entrepreneur and Daagarssongården
In 1991, Daagarsson took over an old school building in Lenninge, outside of Bollnäs, and transformed it into Daagarssongården – a cultural center and art hall that became a hub for art and culture in Hälsingland. The venue showcased works by both established and alternative artists and became a meeting place for culture enthusiasts from across Sweden and abroad.

A cultural figure with heart and dedication
For his contributions to the arts, Daagarsson was awarded the Hälsinge Academy’s gold medal in 2010, in recognition of his work in broadening and deepening the art scene in Hälsingland.

Stefan Daagarsson was someone who lived for culture and for giving others a voice. He was known for his persistence, his heartfelt commitment, and his desire to create something lasting. His work with Daagarssongården and the Lenninge Art Association has left a lasting impression on the cultural life of Hälsingland.

Through his diverse creative output and his passion for culture, Stefan Daagarsson will always be remembered as a significant figure in Swedish art and cultural life.