Tor-Arne Moen

Born in 1966, To-Arne Moen is a celebrated Norwegian artist, practising in painting, and printmaking. In addition to the same, he is also the author of noted books. Impasto-like textural surfaces that engulf the figurative presence describes the oeuvre of the artist. However, being a senior in this field, how has the process of the artist inspired the production?

Moen has not only exhibited throughout the world but also his works have become a part of reputed collections.  Recognized for his compelling technique of rendering, he uses diverse mediums to achieve the effect. Moen works in oil paint,  and egg oil tempera, which denotes his inspiration from his masters. Over his career spanning more than two decades, the artist has experimented with several techniques, styles and formats. However, his expertise in the skill of material and figure traces his diligence towards the eventual style.

From painting figurative to landscapes, Moen's practice delineates the surrounding and environmental aura. They do not depict beauty as it is, rather they arrive through the passage of the artist's expressionistic psyche. His long career has seen several phases, which have also included photographs as the primary reference. Rendering black and white photos, his past work thrived to develop a new vision in the later stage. More importantly, his works relate to one series that he practices for many years before completely fading. Initiating a process and being led by it is generally how artists work and Moen belongs to the category where the brush leads the paintings and not the artist.

He lives and works in Notodden (Telemark), Norway.