BGE is pleased to present Øyvind Sørfjordmo’s exhibition Prøvemarken. In his exhibition, Sørfjordmo presents paintings, drawings and textiles, inspired by his stay on the Danish island of Læsø in the summer of 2024. This island was also where Per Kirkeby had his studio Haabet. The exhibition title (Prøvemarken, ENG: ‘the test field’) refers to the name Kirkeby gave to the large garden area surrounding his studio, where he placed several of his sculptures outside to expose them to the island’s climate and harsh weather.
Sørfjordmo’s paintings are characterised by extensive processes. Compositions and motifs emerge gradually as a result of the interplay between chance, control, and spontaneous decisions that are made in-process. The first layer of paint dries completely before the next is applied. He paints on both fine cotton canvases and coarse linen. The properties of the material, combined with the texture of the oil paint, influence how the brushstrokes appear on the canvas. The paint may be applied in small dots, while other strokes are bolder and more expressive. Other times, unintended details also influence the process. The paintings are abstract, yet they evoke associations with landscapes, constructions, and recognisable figures.
The experience of complete silence at sea during a sailing trip from Iceland to the Faroe Islands where he witnessed a volcanic eruption in the darkness of night, has been another significant source of inspiration for Sørfjordmo. He also draws inspiration from artists such as Kirkeby and Chris Ofili for their palette, Marsden Hartley’s brushstrokes, and Thomas Scheibitz’s forms. Another starting point for a painting can stem from emotional tensions. For instance, the tennis player Taylor Fritz's physical outburst of frustration over poor play — his body twisting as his racket is smashed in anger — has provided the foundation for one of Sørfjordmo's compositions. He often works with two contrasting forms that are combined to create tension within the picture plane. “It shouldn’t be too static, nor too vague. It is important to disrupt any visual comfort. I work until I experience resistance from the paintings, as if they keep me at arm's length,” Sørfjordmo explains. In his works, forms can emerge sharply from the surface before retreating into a diffuse darkness. In one moment, chaos is unleashed; in the next, it is encapsulated. An explosive expression is subdued by a calm white tone, like a thin, cooling layer of frost.
Øyvind Sørfjordmo (b. 1987 in Sarpsborg) lives and works in Oslo. He holds a BA from the Trondheim Academy of Fine Art and an MA from the Oslo National Academy of the Arts. His works have been acquired by collections such as the National Museum, Trondheim Art Museum, the Equinor Art Collection, and most recently, the Oslo Municipality Art Collection. In 2024, Sørfjordmo was represented at the Autumn Exhibition (Høstutstillingen) for the second time.