Ronald Ahlstrom

Ronald Ahlstrom (1922–2012) was an American abstract artist renowned for his distinctive collage work and abstract expressionist style. Born in Chicago, Ahlstrom served as a U.S. Army sergeant during World War II before studying painting at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In addition to his visual art, Ahlstrom was also a talented musician, performing as a bass fiddler and guitarist in nightclubs during the late 1940s and ‘50s.

Ahlstrom is best known for his intricate and subtle abstract compositions, often combining painting, drawing, and collage techniques. His collages, created using weathered and beaten strips of paper, are immaculately layered into dynamic, gestural forms. This approach allowed him to create textured, emotionally resonant works that reflect his sensitivity to materials and form. Ahlstrom exhibited widely, with notable shows at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. In 1958, he received the William H. Bartels Prize at the Art Institute of Chicago, and in 1962, he participated in the “12 Chicago Artists” exhibition at McCormick Place. Ahlstrom also served as a curator at the Tacoma Art Museum in the early 1960s. His work remains a significant contribution to the American abstract art movement.