Marie-Louise Ekman: Toalett med "spegel" (Testamentet del II)

On the entrance door to the accessible restroom in the north wing of the third floor, an enamel sign designed by Marie-Louise Ekman identifies the work as Toalett med "spegel" (2023–2025).

Inside the restroom, Ekman has created a site-specific drawing directly on the walls. The work includes a drawn mirror, a reflected figure, handwritten text, and a continuously evolving series of additions made by the artist over several years.

2023

The original drawing depicted a woman’s reflection surrounded by different silhouettes, with the word Jag (“I”) written below. Ekman subsequently added further sketches and texts and encouraged visitors to contribute drawings and comments on an adjacent wall. Students and visitors responded by adding their own doodles and notes.

2024

During summer 2024, the original wall drawing was accidentally removed during cleaning. Ekman returned and created a new site-specific version of the work.

Following the reinstallation in August 2024, speech bubbles were added to the reflected figure containing the phrases “FÖRSÖK INTE ATT” (“DO NOT TRY TO”) and “SUDDA UT MIG!!!” (“ERASE ME!!!”). By February 2025, the word inte (“not”) had been removed by an unknown person. When Ekman revisited the work, she continued adding new elements without restoring the missing word.

The adjacent wall continued to function as a participatory space where visitors could leave drawings and comments. These contributions remained visible for a period before being removed.

On November 19, 2024, in connection with the publication of the book Testamentet (Piratförlaget), Ekman added the subtitle Testamentet del II to the restroom door.

2025

On February 20, 2025, Ekman expanded the work further. She added a profile figure with closed eyes and a thought bubble containing another face in profile, accompanied by the text:

“DET HÄR ÄR MITT RIKTIGA JAG!!!”
(“THIS IS MY REAL SELF!!!”)

She also wrote:

“SITT KVAR!!!!!”
(“STAY SEATED!!!!!”)

alongside an arrow pointing toward the toilet.

Like Testamentet, Toalett med "spegel" exists in a state of ongoing transformation. Through additions, erasures, interventions, and responses from visitors, the work continues to evolve over time.

Photo: Mikael Olsson (cropped)