By Petter Eklund
Ahead of the curve
WHEN PAUL MCCABE and Jenny Ulving settled in Stockholm five years ago, they were immediately drawn to the grand apartment on Engelbrektsgatan, in the Östermalm district. “We chose the apartment because it had a nice atmosphere,” says McCabe. “When you look out of the window it’s green. Both Jenny and I love nature, and where in the city centre do you find a wonderful apartment without buildings in front of you?” The windows face the Humlegården city park, where you can watch the changing of the seasons as the light dances through the leaves.
Most of the furniture in the apartment comes from the nearby Jacksons antiques shop. “Paul Jackson has amazing knowledge and an incredible stock of furniture,” says McCabe. “I love the mix of Scandinavian and Italian.” The vintage furniture perfectly complements the artworks on the walls – some of McCabe’s favourites from his collection as well as works by artist friends.
As a big player in the international art scene, McCabe’s life is very mobile, and he has recently moved with his wife and three children to Milan (although the Stockholm apartment will remain in the family). “I’ve never been tied to one place,” he says. “Stockholm is our hometown, but Milan is more central to my world. There are many more private collectors there and my clients often come there. Milan is an inspiring and dynamic hub.”
Changing residency is not unusual for McCabe. He was born in Cape Town and has lived in Miami, London and New York. Art has always played a big part in his life, right back to his early home life in South Africa. His father, Patrick Hugh McCabe, was a well-known ballet dancer who shifted into the fashion industry and now pursues his passion as a painter. “I grew up with creative encouragement, it became my strength as a child,” says McCabe, remembering how he watched when his father taught his sister to dance and play the piano. He started painting, and when he was 19 years old he held a successful exhibition of his work. “I sold everything and got orders,” he says, but he found the process of creating art difficult. “I would sit for two days and paint, obsessed and with insomnia, but I realised I wanted to be involve
