Kai Fjell (1907-1989)

"Ung Kvinne" 1938

Fjell is one of the most highly esteemed of all 20th century Norwegian artists. Primarily associated with the romantic expressionist movement, Fjell grew up in the hilly Telemark area of Norway where his experience of the land and surrounding farms informed his work for the rest of his life. He trained variously under Carl von Hanno, August Eiebakke and Olaf Willums. Gaining recognition for his work at the age of 30, he dabbled breifly with surrealism and various forms of expressionism in dark and sombre works often featuring macabre titles. His work softened and he is now most readily associated with large, jumbled but airy canvasses often featuring women and the landscape, interiors reflecting farming life, and cycles of paintings exploring traditional themes associated with Norwegian folk art. Fjell was celebrated in 2007 (the centenary of his birth) with a major retrospective in Norway, but he remains relatively unheralded outwith the country of his birth.

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"Rugende Make"

"Lesende Kvinne" 1940

"Lady by the window"

"Bouquet" 1964

"Aftenstemning Oslo"

"Wise woman" 1935

"Spillemen" 1953