Sandven Art

    Fine art sales and advisory — Oslo & Zürich

    Tore Gunnar Olsen (b. 1934)

    Norsk

    Tore Gunnar Olsen is a Norwegian painter born in Askim in 1934. His work develops the relationship between observed nature and abstract composition, with colour playing a central role. Landscapes, sea and harbour subjects can remain recognisable while being organised into broad, carefully balanced areas. His painting builds on formal training in Oslo but favours a light, lyrical visual language over rigid structure.

    Biography

    Tore Gunnar Olsen studied at the National College of Art and Design from 1955 to 1958 and at the National Academy of Fine Arts from 1958 to 1961. His teachers included Aage Storstein and Alexander Schultz, whose emphasis on composition informed his development. His paintings of the 1960s were largely non-figurative, while references to landscape, sea and boats became clearer during the following decade. These subjects continued to serve an enquiry into colour and the organisation of the picture surface. Broad, luminous areas could be set against smaller passages of stronger contrast. Several harbour and coastal images draw on the Oslofjord region. Works including Figur and Grønn måne entered the national collection, documenting his place within Norwegian painting's exploration of abstraction and observed experience.

    Available works

    Tore Gunnar Olsen – Selvportrett

    Selvportrett, 1970

    Akvarell

    Collecting & enquiries

    Olsen's work can interest collectors drawn to Norwegian colour painting and the passage between figuration and abstraction. The self-portrait shown here offers a different point of contact with the artist. Enquire about its medium, inscriptions, condition and supporting documentation.

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    Sources and further reading