Occupied with ideas and connections that evolve from the physical and formal qualities of painting, Sunniva McAlinden's most recent work brings the pull of gravity into play. Working with the challenges, idiosyncrasies, paradoxes and poetry of a conceptually based sensorial non-figurative minimalist orientation she explores painting as both subject and object. Her art practice extends beyond the traditional definitions and boundaries of painting and includes three-dimensional constructions, site-specific works using a variety of materials, and photography.

​​

Solo shows include "Folly", a major presentation at Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo (2008). Participation in group exhibitions include at Astrup Fearnley Museet, Oslo, and Bonniers Konsthall, Stockholm. Site-specific commissions include"Ridå" a large textile work for the main auditorium of Moderna Museet Stockholm (1998), and "Länk" which consists of two mosaic murals for Odenplan station, Stockholm City Line commuter rail (2017). Her work is represented in various public collections in Sweden such as Statens Konstråd, Stockholm konst, Offentlig konst Region Stockholm, Offentlig konst Region Uppsala.

​

Born in 1963 in Oslo, she grew up in England and Norway. She studied Fine Art at the Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm, Sweden (1985–1990). Sunniva McAlinden has worked as professor at Bergen National Academy of the Arts (2004–2010) and at Oslo National Academy of the Arts (2013–2021). She lives and works in Stockholm.