The paintings by Norwegian artist Kenneth Blom exude a subtle psychological tension and a latent noir atmosphere. In his approach to composition, Blom adopts the attitude of a director, where scenographic backgrounds serve as stage to the human drama unfolding within the artwork.
On his canvases, geometrical elements mixed with a sapient use of diagonal lines and vanishing points evoke strong architectural ambience reminding of the constructions by by the fathers of modern architecture, such as Mies Van Der Rohe, Alvar Aalto, Le Corbusier, or Walter Gropius, while at the same time they are there to awaken sensations and emotions rather than represent specific settings, providing the perfect stage for Blom’s archetypal actors to perform.
Mysterious human figures move within his spatial compositions, seemingly led by an intense sensitivity even in static positions. The alternating use of abstract and figurative painting, with wild strokes blending with controlled backgrounds, contributes to the mystery, inquietude, and narrative of each artwork. The human figures inhabiting Blom’s paintings become archetypes of the human psychological condition and existential obsessions.

As C.G. Jung suggested, the collective character of archetypes manifests itself in coincidences that conform to the meaning, as if the archetype – or the collective unconscious – lived not only within individuals but also in the outside world. The archetypal world is described as “eternal,” transcending time and omnipresent within the psychic conditions. This characteristic is mirrored in Kenneth Blom’s art, where a prevailing mood of melancholy and solitude is portrayed through characters standing alone or in pairs in unspecific geographic landscapes or unrecognizable regional architecture, with their ethnicity and their cultural backgrounds unidentifiable despite representing diverse ages and genders. This highlights the psychological distress and intrinsic sense of loneliness resulting from a dystopic perception of the contemporary society, resonating with viewers on a universal level. Blom’s art transcends specific messages, instead, it speaks directly to human nature.
Blom’s pictorial language is characterized by radicalness, displayed through the interplay of flat and sinuous forms, expressive deformation of the human body, specific color palette, and the symbolic use of architecture, alligning him with modern and contemporary painting Masters like Edvard Munch, Edward Hopper, and David Hockney, firmly situating him within the contemporary art historical context.

The paintings crafted by the renowned Norwegian artist, Kenneth Blom, emanate a subtle psychological tension and evoke a latent noir atmosphere. In his approach to composition, Blom adroitly adopts the role of a director, utilizing scenographic backgrounds as expressive stages to unfold the human drama inherent in his artworks.

On his canvases, a skillful amalgamation of geometrical elements, coupled with a masterful use of diagonal lines and vanishing points, evokes a profound ambiance reminiscent of the pioneering works by Mies Van Der Rohe, Alvar Aalto, Le Corbusier, and Walter Gropius from the epoch of modern architecture. Concurrently, Blom’s artistic intent transcends a mere representation of specific settings; instead, he seeks to engender profound sensations and emotions within the beholder, thereby establishing the perfect backdrop for his archetypal actors to enact their narratives.

Within his spatial compositions, enigmatic human figures appear to be guided by a profound sensitivity, even during moments of stasis. The juxtaposition of abstract and figurative painting, wherein wild, untamed brushstrokes harmonize with controlled backgrounds, imbues each artwork with an air of mystery, restlessness, and a narrative depth. These human figures, ingrained within Blom’s paintings, acquire a status of archetypes, personifying the human psychological condition and existential obsessions.

Drawing upon C.G. Jung’s insights, the collective character of archetypes manifests itself through fortuitous coincidences that coalesce with profound meaning, suggesting that the archetype – or the collective unconscious – permeates not solely the individual’s psyche but also the external environment. This archetypal world, regarded as “eternal” and beyond the constraints of time, pervades the psychic realm, a quality elegantly captured in Kenneth Blom’s artistic endeavors. His canvas narratives reflect an overarching mood of melancholy and solitude, as depicted by solitary or paired characters within indistinct geographic landscapes and unrecognizable regional architecture, wherein their ethnic and cultural backgrounds elude definitive identification. This portrayal serves to accentuate the psychological distress and intrinsic sense of loneliness that arises from a dystopic perception of contemporary society, striking a universal chord with viewers. Evidencing a transcendent quality, Blom’s art eschews the conveyance of specific messages, instead directly engaging with the essence of human nature.

Blom’s pictorial language, distinguished by its radicalness, unfolds through an interplay of flat and sinuous forms, expressive deformations of the human body, meticulous color palettes, and a judicious utilization of architectural symbolism. This exceptional artistic approach aligns him with eminent modern and contemporary painting Masters, including the likes of Edvard Munch, Edward Hopper, and David Hockney, firmly anchoring his artistic legacy within the annals of contemporary art history.

“Kenneth Blom is among the painters who combine abstraction and figuration. With each series tares it as a new relationship. In his most recent work, the abstraction requires even greater space, the depicted persons are only at the lower edge of the picture, persisting in gestures and glances. It is precisely from this that a special inner tension unfolds. The eye jumps back and forth between figure and space, narration and pure gestures. This opens the horizon for a highly subtle painting.”

Nicola Kuhn
Art Critic .Berliner Tagesspiegel.

Solo Exhibitions

2023 Luisa Catucci Gallery, Berlin
2023 Jason Mc Coy Gallery, New York
2023 KOU Gallery, Rome
2023 Fine Art Oslo
2023 Art Karlsruhe, Germany, represented by Luisa Catucci Gallery
2023 Kunstverein Bad Nauheim, Frankfurth, curated by Luisa Catucci
2022 Gallery Weekend Berlin, CSR show by Art At Berlin, Luisa Catucci Gallery
2021 Luisa Catucci Gallery, Berlin
2021 Paintings and sculptures by Kenneth Blom Dropsfabrikken galleri
2020. Illumination. Gallery Haaken Oslo
2020. Soloshow Gallery Birch Copenhagen. Gallery Birch.
2020. Galleri Haaken, Oslo.
2020. Galleri Guddal, Seimsfoss.
2020. Galleri Birch, Copenhagen
2019. Lyon Particule – Lyon/France
2019. Architypes. Luisa Catucci Gallery , Berlin
2019. `Intruder` New works Jason McCoy gallery, New York
2019. Gallery Dropsfabrikken Trondhjem, Norway
2018. Pekin Fine Art, Beijing
2017. Muster Meier Gallery Bern/Switzerland
2017. Pekin Fine art Hong Kong
2017. Gallery Haaken, Oslo
2016. Cumulus. Maerz contemporary Berlin
2015. Wo are you? Gallery Haaken Oslo
2014. Jason McCoy Gallery, New York
2013. Gallery Haaken, Oslo
2012. Studio Hugo Opdal/Moods of Norway Flø
2012. Gallery Haaken, Oslo
2011. Maerz Contemporary, Berlin
2011. Gallery Haaken, Oslo
2010. Galleri Bouhlou, Bergen
2010. Jason McCoy Gallery, New York
2009. Galleri Haaken, Oslo
2008. Stavanger Art Society European Capital of Culture
2007. Colonnade Gallery at Sotheby’s, London
2007. Galleri Haaken, Oslo
2006. Aalesunds Art Society
2005. Henie Onstad Art Center, Høvikodden
2003. Galleri Haaken, Oslo
2002. Galleri Haaken, Oslo
2000. Galleri Haaken, Oslo
1999. Galleri 27, Oslo
1998. Galleri 27, Oslo

Group Exhibitions

2020. `and guess what`. Group shw. Luisa Catucci gallery Berlin
2020. Art Herning-Denmark. Galleri Birch
2020. Dropsfabrikken gallery Trondheim
2016. Studio Hugo Opdal Flø/Ulstein
2014. Transformation. Serbia/Beograd-Romania/Buchuresti
2014. Rarity gallery, Greece
2013. jason McCoy Gallery, New York
2011. Jason McCoy Gallery, New York
2010. Jason McCoy Gallery, New York
2006. Galleri Haaken, Oslo
2004. Galleri Haaken, Oslo
2003. Henie Onstad Art Center
2002. Galleri Haaken, Oslo
1998. Galleri Bomuldsfabrikken, Arendal
1995. Trondheim Art Society
1994. Galleri Bomuldsfabrikken, Arendal
1994. Oslo Art Society
1991. Galleri 27, Oslo

Art Fairs & Auctions

2023 Nagel Auction, Stuttgard
2023 Sothebys Auction Vienna
2023 Art Karlsruhe, Luisa Catucci Gallery
2023 Art Herning, Represented by Galleri Birch
2021. Charity auction Vienna 2021 • Vienna Federation of industrialists
2020. Positions Art FAit Berlin. Luisa Catucci Gallery
2020. Art fair Art Athena. Cube Gallery Greece
2020. Art Fair Positions Berlin. Luisa Catucci Gallery
2020. Art Karlsruhe. Luisa Catucci gallery
2019 Positions Berlin. Luisa Catucci gallery.
2019 LArt Basel-Volta, Luisa Catucci gallery.
2016 Positions Berlin -Art Fair- 2016
2015`Theater of operations` Soloshow Pèkin fine art Hong Kong