VISUAL ARTIST FROM NORWAY
Formoe has developed an own style with contrasting elements like naturalistic faces combined with nonfigurative features or abstract figures. By painting the faces in neutral colours, Formoe manages to make the observer concentrate on what first seem to be essential. However, by the use of the patterns of strong colours, often with black, he manages to add more to the painting.
He often reveals different layers of colours that seem to float above or in front of each other. Again there is this element of mysticism. What does this mean?
Formoe is a contemporary artist using traces from art history. In his earlier works he was inspired by the Renaissance and also Impressionism, while today the naturalistic faces combined with flat colourful patterns remind us of Gustav Klimt and Art Nouveau.
Erik Stenbeck
CV.
Education.
1975-79 State School of Art and Craft, Oslo (Visual Art)
1979-83 Academy of Art, Oslo (Visual Art)
2001-02 State School of Art and Crafts, Oslo (Lithography)
Selected Solo Exhibitions.
Gallery A, Oslo, Norway 2022
Fredrikstad Art Association, Norway 2022
Gallery Soon, Norway 2021 Sundvolden Gallery, Norway 2020
KHAAK 2020 (Aalesund Art Association, Norway)
Soli Brug, Norway 2019
Holmestrand Art Association, Norway 2018
Lohme Art Gallery. Malmø, Sweden 2017
Oxholm Gallery. Copenhagen, Denmark 2016
Ramfjord Gallery. Oslo, Norway 2015
Skedsmo Art Association, Norway 2014
Direktoratet Gallery. Fredrikstad, Norway 2012
Soli Brug Gallery. Norway 2012
Ramfjord Gallery. Oslo, Norway 2011
Fjordheim Gallery, Norway. 2011
FA Gallery. Kuwait City 2010
Fredrikstad, Norway. 2010
Gallery BI-Z. Kristiansand, Norway 2009
Porsgrunn, Norway. Gallery Oksen 2009
Porsgrunn, Norway Gallery Oksen 2006
Fredrikstad, Norway. Gallery Sebastian 2003
Larvik Art Association, Norway 2003
Soegne Rectory, Norway 2000
Gallery 27 Oslo, Norway 1999
Fredrikstad, Art Association, Norway 1997
Fredrikstad, Norway. 1996
Moss, Norway. 1996
Fredrikstad,Art Association, Norway 1995
Bergen, Norway. Tablå Gallery 1994
Molde Art Association, Norway 1994
Aalesund Art Association, Norway. 1994
Halden, Norway. 1986
Fredrikstad Art Association 1985
Fredrikstad, Norway. 1984
Oslo, Norway. UKS 1981
Selected Group Exhibitions.
Gallery A, Oslo, Norway 2022
Gallery A, Oslo, Norway 2021
Gallery Ether 2020. Tokyo, Japan
Thinkspace Projects, Los Angeles 2019
Den Gallery, Kuwait City 2019
Spoke Art Gallery, San Francisco 2018
Affordable Art Fair Stockholm 2017
Scope New York 2015
Jørgen Østergaard Gallery, Denmark 2015
Art Copenhagen, 2013 and 2014
Scope Miami 2013
Foresight Art Gallery, Amman Jordan 2012
Hvaler Art Association 2011
Ramfjord Gallery, Oslo 2010
Gerner Gallery, Moss 2010
Moss Art Association 2009 and 2010
Norwegian Miniatures, Tromsoe
International Miniatures 5 and 6. Gallery Old Town, Fredrikstad
F-15 Gallery, Moss
Gallery 27, Oslo
North Norway Exhibition(Member of the jury)
State Autumn Exhibition. Several times
South-East Reg Exhibition. Several times
Gallery 27, Oslo 2001
Brandstrup Gallery, Moss 2001
Oldenburg, Germany
Riga, Ukraine
Triennials and Biennales
International Graphic Biennale in Varna, Bulgaria 1991
International Graphic Biennale in Ljubliana, former Yugoslavia 1991
International Graphic Biennale in Ukraine 1991
International Graphic Biennale in Cairo, Egypt
International Graphic Biennale in Ferrol, Spain
International Graphic Triennial in Fredrikstad, Norway 1992
Group 5 Exhibitions
Fredrikstad, Østfold Art Centre, Norway 1994
Skien, Norway 1994
Norwich, England 1993
Fredrikstad, Norway 1992
Aalborg, Denmark 1992
Copenhagen, Denmark 1992
Arvika, Sweden 1991
Oslo, Norway 1991
Haa, Norway 1991
Fredrikstad, Norway 1990
Kotka, Finland 1990
Karlskoga, Swedenborg 1988
Fredrikstad, Norway 1988
Selected Grants
Gallery 12b's Grant 1980
Thomas Fearnley's Memory Grant 1981
Dr. Ragnar Forsbergs Endowment 1984
Artfund 1990
State Travel Scholarship 1991
Artfund 1994
Grant from Fredrikstad Council 1999
Prices
Honourable mention at the International Graphic Triennial in Fredrikstad, Norway, 1992
Public Comissions
Decorated Following Schools and Institutions in Norway:
Malakoff, Moss 1997
Orkeroed Hospital, Moss 2003
Trosvik, Fredrikstad 2005
Gudeberg, Fredrikstad 2005
Collections
Municipality of Fredrikstad, Norway
Norwegian Arts Council
Østfold County, Norway
Council of Culture, Kotka, Finland
Council of Culture, Fredrikstad, Norway
Eileen S. Kaminsky Family Foundation, New York
Privat collections in UK, USA, Kuwait, Denmark and Norway.