Esther Gehlin began studying art at the same time that modernism completely transformed the art world in the early 20th century. She traveled on study trips in Europe and embraced the new winds that were blowing. Like many of her contemporaries, she worked in various areas and was active as both a textile artist and a painter. After marrying Hugo Gehlin, the artist couple settled in Helsingborg and their home became a meeting place for artists and cultural figures for many years, playing a significant role in the city's modern art scene.