Interview
Inge Johan Riise Iversen
Inge is a self-taught artist from Norway. He has a Bachelor’s degree in English, History, and Art History, and has worked as a part-time teacher for more than 30 years.
Since 2018, Inge has been creating art full-time. His works have been represented in the Norwegian National Museum, Riksgalleriet, Oslo Municipal Art Collections, and at the Arts Council Norway.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was born in Årdalstangen, on the west coast of Norway. This is where the Sognefjord ends, looking like the top of an oak tree. When I first discovered art, I wanted to try making it myself. On the living room wall, my parents had a reproduction of a church painted by Van Gogh, which I loved. In school, we would draw ski jumpers and my classmates complimented me on my drawings, which I highly appreciated.
When my school visited the Munch museum in Oslo, I made up my mind to become an artist. Studying art history and encountering the works of Bosch and Brueghel triggered my fantasy, while learning some basic psychology and surrealistic art helped me find my way into the world of art.”
What inspires you most?
“I really appreciate being alive. I think we are, in certain ways, living in paradise. Flowers, landscapes, sunrises, and sunsets—all these inspire me, including animals and fellow human beings. Other sources of inspiration are the mysteries of life, the dark sides of mankind’s doings, and the growing extreme polarity between people. Given all that, how could a better world be organized? A world where we respect and appreciate everything the world offers, and in awe and humility, try to contribute to a better world instead of exploiting nature, animals, and our fellow men.
Music is also a great source of inspiration; both the modern jazz of people like Miles Davis and the classical work of Bach.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I pursue development and change in my art. I believe in art. Artists can help us understand the mysteries of life. They can help us develop an understanding from which change can take place. Van Gogh’s Sunflowers or Starry Night give us perspectives beyond photography.
Critical and satirical comments on political matters can promote changes. Just as good investigative journalism helps to educate people, art can help people see things from different perspectives.”
“Art is our way of understanding and interpreting the world. We can learn tremendous things from art.
Just like knowledge evolves through the centuries, art develops through individuals, building upon and inspiring each other.”
How would you describe your work?
“When I was in my teens, I was fortunate enough to learn graphic art at a studio in Oslo. I loved working with etching and engraving, and I would print several variations over the same motif. Right after the turn of the century, I developed an interest in computers and photo manipulation. I bought large format printers, and the way I worked with graphic art in the ’70s metamorphosed into working with motifs and changing them around in a collage-like way through computer technology.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Hieronymus Bosch, Pieter Bruegel, Edvard Munch, Max Ernst and Chaim Soutine are the artists that have influenced my work the most.”
What is your creative process like?
“I like to improvise. I enjoy alternating between physical hard work—struggling with sculptures, large installations—and quiet desk work with pen and paper. Or I work with paintings that can gradually grow forth and change during days of contemplation.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Artists have an important role in society. Without art, the world would definitely be missing something important. Imagine a world without music, literature, and movies.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I’ve been exhibiting my work since 1973 when I made the ‘underground’ comics En Fågel er Loss with author and artist Terje Nordberg. We showed our work at Galleri 7 in Oslo.
Some of my more recent exhibitions are:
2020 - Galleriet Hamar Kulturhus, Norway.
2019 - Knusesund Herregård, Sweden.
2018 - Galleri Fjordheim, Biri, Norway.
A full list of my exhibitions can be viewed on my website.”
