Michel Östlund was born and lives in Uppsala, Sweden. He works as a sculptor, painter, film director and writer. Existential questions such as life, death, and time inspire him to arrange exhibitions featuring art, music, and films. During the last decade, he has created monumental portraits in different cathedrals, museums, and galleries worldwide. His latest sculptures depict human rights themes. Michel Östlund has delivered art to Pope Johannes Paulus, the Emperor of Japan, and various collectors. He currently works as a guest professor at Addis Ababa University and serves as a goodwill ambassador for the Raoul Wallenberg Academy.