Artist statement

In general my work revolves around the theme of alienation and the pursuit of an unattainable inner harmony - of an inner turmoil and loneliness brought upon us by modern life. The world I depict is not a physical location in space and time. It is an inner world, a world where thought, emotion and raw cognition defines not only the figures, but also the space they inhabit. What you see in my work is that inner reality or self-perception somehow disturbed, that innate human need for coherence and meaning in our lives disrupted.

On an aesthetic level my work is often characterised by contrasts - the juxtaposition of opposites on several levels. Fine detail, drawn lines and meticulously painted shapes clash with bold brushstrokes, spatters and blurred contours. Soft organic shapes and multifaceted figures meet renditions or furniture and space and geometric abstractions.

My process is one of dialogue and for me the creative process is a key to the inner, psychological world - and art itself an amazing medium to catch what its going on between the lines, the things we have no language for. 

I’ll often be applying, revisiting, destroying and (re)creating during the process, applying multiple layers, adding and removing elements, working directly on the canvas, drawing my sketches up with acrylics, spray paint and charcoal, trying to excavate the motif. In the process I strive to obtain a balance - on the border of the conscious and subconscious, where I react and paint without too much reflection, alternated with more reflected and controlled decisions. Once I feel I have found out what direction a piece is going in, I will start working it over and finish it in oil paint.

Painting over parts, making mistakes and getting lost is a very important part of my process. Although frustrating at times, getting lost and loosing the overview allows for unforeseen and unusual ideas to emerge. For me creativity is as much about tearing down and destroying as it is about creating and building up. This also means that the final work is the result of the process rather than a planned image.