Andreas Bondpär – the tattooing stone artist

Andreas works in Malung – the factory’s own stone artist. With experience and influences from his long career as a tattoo artist, he has switched medium from skin and body to granite, an unexpectedly close working method.

As a tattoo artist, one is often faced with the desire to create a lasting tribute to loved ones on the skin, a painful process for the client. In the past, Andreas used his artistic talent and technique as a tattoo artist to create permanent works of art on people’s skin using needles and paint. Now, as a stone artist at the factory, he uses the same skills and influences to create permanent artwork on granite stones by using different tools and methods to cut, carve or engrave into the stone’s surface. 

“I saw that the work of engraving stone is quite similar to the approach of tattooing, both technically and conceptually. In the same way that you make a stencil and attach it to the body to follow, you make a stencil that you put on the tombstone when you engrave. As tombstone makers, we also often receive photos of tattoos that the bereaved want to use as motifs for their own decoration or photo blasting on our tombstones. The tattoo artist in me recognizes the need for immortalization.”

Andreas Bondpär stenkonstnär på Edurus om arbetet med gravstenar och liknelsen med tatueringskonsten.

Unique tributes in stone

Despite changing medium, Andreas Bondpär still has the opportunity to express his artistic vision and create beautiful and meaningful works that will last for a long time. 

He goes by the pseudonym “The Tattooing Gravestone Artist” at the Edurus factory in Malung. During his time working at the stonemasonry, he has found that each gravestone is a unique work of art that reflects a person’s personality, a tribute to the deceased.  Andreas is excited to be involved now that the stonemasonry in Malung is growing.  

“I was born and raised in Malung and value highly being able to help put Malung and Malungs Stenfabrik on the map as one of Sweden’s largest and most modern stonemasons. What feels most exciting is that the company is constantly developing with new machines and knowledge, and now that we are taking small steps towards making our own sculptures, it really feels like we are on the right track!” 

Gravstensmodell E009 från Edurus med kurbitsmotiv specialdesignade av stenkonstnären Andreas Bondpär.

Technology and development

When time is available, Andreas works with new techniques and design expressions. Among other things, he has designed two kurbits decorations as a tribute to his Dalarna, which we proudly display in our showroom in Malung.

Andreas Bondpär skulpterar gravsten i Malungs Stenfabrik.

“Stone is an incredibly exciting material to work with. Different types of granite have different properties such as hardness and grain size, which means that you have to treat it in different ways. Then there’s the fact that it’s so durable. What we make today will probably still be around when I or even my children are old.”

Lasting impressions in time

Andrea’s story is an inspiring reminder of the versatility of art and the ability to find beauty and meaning in different forms and materials. Working as a stonemason is an honorable job, where every cut and chisel stroke carries with it a sense of responsibility and respect for the past and the future. It is about shaping not only the surface of the stone, but also people’s memories and emotions. To create works with pride and dedication that are not only beautiful, but that will also stand the test of time and tell stories for generations to come.

Are you curious and want to learn more? Book a guided tour of the Malungs Stenfabrik to see how a stone is shaped into a personalized memorial. Find your way here.