Untitled – Vertical Strokes in Grey

Arne Malmedal’s works have always been characterized by his ascetic, low-key use of artistic effects. Mastery of both print and painting techniques has been vital for this artist, whose works are as known for their elegance as for their perfectionism. In exploring the relationship between surface and space, picture and frame, and the endless variability of colours and strokes, Malmedal leaves no angle behind, spurred on by the curiosity and thoroughness of a scientist. His works represent a renewal of a lyrical tradition in Norwegian painting, even as their roots trace back to classical art. Malmedal’s art is both timeless and contemporary.

In his exploration of the picture plane, Malmedal follows a tradition in international painting that belongs to the twentieth century. This tradition has been revitalized in today’s art, however, as painting re-establishes its status in a world of art that has otherwise become highly technical.

Untitled – Vertical Strokes in Grey differs from Malmedal’s monochrome pictures in that the brushstrokes are more pronounced here, indirectly testifying to the picture’s origins. As with several of his gouaches from this era, the surface in this picture thereby becomes more dynamic, playful, and profound, adding a lyrical, poetical dimension to the work; this does not imply, however, that we should look for references to nature or figuration.