Exhibition opening May 31st: Simon Wågsholm

Exhibition opening May 31st 6pm at Møre og Romsdal Art Center

All things exist in a perpetual state of transformation—either undergoing growth or decay. Inevitably, over time, each condition gives way to the other. This principle of impermanence is central to the Buddhist concept of anicca, which invites an acceptance of transience, and even a sense of solace in it.

With this philosophy in mind, the works presented at MRK stemmed from his desire to liberate painting from the conventional confines of the wall. Simon Wågsholm sought to experiment with spatial autonomy, developing methods to assemble paintings into self-supporting structures. While the sculptural works also ressemble the wooden frames used to stretch canvasses.

Simon Wågsholm states that: “Over time, I came to a personal realization that I had been so immersed in a single long-term project that I began to project its emotional framework onto newer works, without recognizing the distinct motivations behind them. Upon reflection, I identified a key statement in my own writing that clarified the underlying impetus:

I find it beautiful that existence and states are not final. They are in motion; we are in motion. There is something hopeful in that.

This sentence encapsulates the essence of my recent practice. It is a recognition that change, often culturally constructed as destabilizing or negative, is in fact a vital force. In many Western traditions, change is regarded with suspicion—stability is valorized as a source of security and permanence is often equated with value. This mindset permeates multiple aspects of life, from personal identity to institutional systems.”

Simon Wågsholm (b. 1978 in Ålesund) lives and works in Ålesund. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Modern Art and Aesthetics from the University of Bergen and has also studied at Ålesund School of Art. Wågsholm has exhibited multiple times at KHÅK Kunsthall (Ålesund), most recently in 2021. He has also held solo exhibitions at venues including Galleri Langegården (Bergen), KUBE Art Museum (Ålesund). Works by Wågsholm are included in the Grieg and Kube collections.

Wågsholm teaches painting and art philosophy at Ålesund School of Art. His work consists of stylized figurations and landscapes in a kind of dissolved or deconstructed state. The transparent layers of paint allow traces of the process to remain visible, while also hinting at the multiple levels of allegory and suggestion embedded within the work. Thematically, his practice is rooted in questions of ecology—specifically, the interplay between the individual, society, and the environment.

This exhibition received funds from the Kulturdirektoratet and the regional project support from Bildende Kulnstnernes Hjelpefond (BKH)