Madelene Sonesson

Spatial Story

It’s maybe not an actual physical place that stands out in my spatial story but rather all the ones I’ve visited through my imagination and the worlds others have conjured through maps and tales. Growing up, I was enchanted by fantasy literature—those intricate maps in the front pages of books were gateways to realms of endless possibility. They weren’t just drawings; they were invitations to embark on adventures, solve mysteries, and see the world in ways that transcended reality.

My mother’s stories also shaped this love for exploration. As the daughter of an ambassador, she lived a truly nomadic childhood, moving between Lebanon, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Zambia, and Venezuela before finally settling in Stockholm. Her tales of distant lands and diverse cultures fascinated me, yet as a child, they had the opposite effect—I felt grounded, content to stay in one place. Instead, I sought adventure in books, tracing imaginary journeys on parchment-colored maps.

That early spark of wonder guided me to a career in cartography and GIS, where I could combine artistry and data to make the complex tangible. Over time, my sense of adventure has shifted from the imaginary to the real. Today, I find joy in exploring diverse settings, both through work and personal travel, weaving together the physical and imagined worlds I love so much. Every map I create feels like crafting a new story, offering others the same thrill of discovery I’ve always cherished.