Kjell Nupen facts for kids

Kjell Nupen (born September 5, 1955 – died March 12, 2014) was a famous Norwegian artist. He was known for his paintings, sculptures, and graphic art.

Early Life and Art

Kjell Nupen started his art career very early. When he was just 17, he was accepted into the Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts. There was a small problem because they thought he was 18, but he was given special permission to start.

He quickly became successful. By the time he was 19, his artwork was bought by important places like the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design in Norway.

When he was younger, his art showed strong political ideas. This was because Europe was going through many changes at the time. While studying at the Staatliche Kunstakademie in Düsseldorf, he learned that art could have a deep meaning.

Over the years, Kjell Nupen often used certain symbols in his art. These included:

• The boat, which meant an endless journey.
• Car wrecks, showing nature taking over.
• An eagle flying.
• Tree trunks, representing home.
• A lighthouse, for a sentimental journey.
• The "Munch moon," as a tribute to the famous artist Edvard Munch.

Later Art and Legacy

In the 1980s, people started to disappear from Kjell Nupen's paintings. Instead, he focused on nature. His later artworks often explored themes like quietness and belonging. You can see hints of other famous artists like Edvard Munch and Matisse in many of his paintings.

Kjell Nupen became especially famous for a special color he used, which was called Nupen blue. He passed away on March 12, 2014, at the age of 58, after battling cancer.

Public Artworks

Even though Kjell Nupen saw himself mainly as a painter, he was also a respected graphic artist. This means he created art using printing methods like etching, lithography, and wood-block print. He even helped teach other artists in this field.

His art can be found in museums and big art collections both in Norway and other countries.

A fountain designed by Kjell Nupen in Otterdalsparken, Kristiansand

Kjell Nupen worked with many different materials. These included granite, ceramic, glass, steel, and bronze. He had many art shows in Norway and abroad. He also created several large public art projects, such as:

• Otterdalsparken in Kristiansand, which is sometimes called Nupenparken.
• Projects in Silkeborg, Denmark.
• Art for Statoil in Stavanger.
• Works for Søm Church and Ansgarkapellet in Kristiansand.
• Art for Geilo Kulturkirke in Geilo.
• Projects for Olsvik Church in Bergen.
• Art for Telemark sykehus in Porsgrunn.
• The town hall in Viborg, Denmark.
• Helsfyr Atrium in Oslo.
• Husnes torv in Husnes.
• Forum Jæren in Bryne.
• The Broerenkerk, an old church from 1504 in Zwolle, Netherlands, which is now a cultural center.

Education

• Statens Kunstakademi in Oslo, from 1972 to 1975. He studied with Reidar Aulie, Knut Rose, and Ludvig Eikaas.
• Staatliche Kunstakademie in Düsseldorf, from 1975 to 1976. He studied with Gerhard Richter, K.O.Gutz, and Rolf Sackheim.