LENA TRYDAL: WORLD OF WITTY AND PROVOCATIVE PAINTING
Discover The Bold, Humorous, And Thought-Provoking Canvases Of Norway's Rising Contemporary Artist Lena Trydal.
Join Us On A Journey Through Lena's Unique Lens, Transforming Global Icons And Socio-Political Narratives Into Unforgettable Artworks.
The Munchies Art Club first showcased Lena's unique approach in our curated article two years ago, featuring Swimming Pool Paintings By 11 Contemporary Artists, which left a lasting impression on us.
In Norwegian artist Lena Trydals (b. 1994) colorful, figurative paintings, iconic subjects or objects from western popular culture comes together in new constellations.
LINK SwimmingPool!
Her art deals with themes such as power, democracy, capitalism, mass media/internet, stereotypes, celebrities and high vs. low culture.
She frequently plays with kitsch and art historical references as a node to the history of figurative painting and its status today.
The paintings derive from images collected from Google Images and could be described as painted collages.
The Magic Of Painting Is That Everything Is Allowed. Here It Is Trydal Who Decides." - Geir Haraldseth, 2022, National Museum Of Art, Architecture And Design, Oslo.
Through the collage-technique, reality is blended with fiction, creating worlds that would otherwise not exist, but which at the same time make aspects of today's society visible.
LENA TRYDAL'S INSIGHTFUL TAKE ON CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
Trydal gained a lot of media attention in Norway for her satirical group-portrait of the Norwegian royal family, as it took part of the inaugural exhibition of the new National Museum in Oslo in 2022, “I Call it Art”, the most viewed exhibition of contemporary art in Norway ever recorded.
The painting, Folkekongen (2017-2021) (The Peoples King), portrayed the royal family ordinarily dressed, in a classical setting for royal portraiture, and was to some perceived as so provoking and disrespectful that the museum received demands of removing the work from the exhibition.
Lena Trydal | Mark I (2022) | Oil on canvas | 130 x 100 cm (39,3 x 51,1 in) | ©Lena Trydal/BONO | Image courtesy by the artist -> right: Lena Trydal-with Mega Jeff-2023 |Foto Ole Erik Løvold
The painting was later acquired by the museum, Norway's most prestigious public art collection.
Trydal was born in Kristiansand in the south of Norway, in 1994.
As a child, she frequently copied figures from cartoons and comics, such as from Moomin, and later the teen magazine W.I.T.C.H.
She obsessed with celebrities and cut in celebrity gossip-magazines she came across, collecting images of female pop cultural icons of the 00s and making collages of them.
All off which has influenced her art.
Lena Trydals Studio working on Mark 1 ( Zuckerberg) | Image Courtesy by the Artist
At 17, Trydal studied figurative painting at Liceo Artistico (Artistic high school) in Pavia, Italia, painting with oil for the first time.
She continued her art studies at International Workshop Metàfora (Barcelona) and Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (The Hague, Netherlands).
She later pursued a bachelor's degree in Aesthetic Studies from the University of Oslo. Trydal currently resides in Oslo, Norway.
Trydal's notable exhibitions include "The 135th Autumn Exhibition" at Kunstnernes Hus in Oslo and "I Call It Art" At The National Museum Of Art, Architecture and Design.
National Museum of Art with the work of Lena Trydal
The Tea Party" (2020) is another testament to the artist's ability to meld political satire with her unique artistic vision.
This work, along with others like her portrayal of the Norwegian royal family, highlights her skill in pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms to create something truly modern and engaging.
Lena Trydal Artworks: Last supper (2022) | Oil on canvas | 46 x 38 cm (18 x 15 in) | ©Lena Trydal/BONOSiesta -> Bag, large, Blue (2022) | Oil on Canvas | 85x 110cm -> Siesta#2 (2022) | Oil on canvas | 120 x 90 cm (47,2 x 35,4 in) | Photo: Lena Trydal | Image courtesy by the artist
Trydal's work stimulates and engages its viewers, leading to thoughtful discussions and thought; her art, going beyond simple visual appeal, offers insights into contemporary issues, marking her as a promising talent in the realm of modern art.
In February 2024, she shows the 2x3 meter painting “Over my dead body” (2023) at Søgne Gamle Prestegård (Søgne, Norway), a double portrait of Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo that thematizes the Qatar championship of 2022 and sportswashing.
As in several of Trydal's works, "Over my dead body" thematizes power, capitalism, pop culture and morality, with satire and absurdity.
Enjoy the vibrancy and wit in her work, as Trydal redefines the traditional art narrative, giving a voice to contemporary issues through her impactful and engaging artworks.
ADDITIONAL INFOS
Follow Lena Trydal On Instagram for her latest projects, new artworks, and insights into her art practice.
Lena Trydal -> Online
Also, don't forget to bookmark Lena's Website for more updates.
