About Unn Catrin Vinjor
Artistic Statement: Echoes of Time
On the website, I showcase various series and techniques.
Inspired by Max Ernst’s reflection that “The artist who has found himself has lost himself,” my work ventures into the paradoxes of existence, where structure intertwines with spontaneity, and order coexists with chaos. At the heart of my practice is the exploration of identity, perception, and the human condition, reflecting life’s fluid, ever-changing nature.
With a balance of deliberate structure and spontaneous expression, I use abstract forms and fluid lines to navigate emotional landscapes, weaving together simplicity and complexity. My dual background in textile design and painting allows me to merge geometric precision with the organic richness of texture. Nature, with its repeating patterns and subtle rhythms, is a constant source of inspiration, shaping my visual language and guiding my exploration of form and movement.
This convergence of natural forms and human perception invites a sensory engagement with texture and shape. Surrealism and the Bauhaus movement have deeply influenced my approach, especially in their examination of the boundaries between the tangible and the abstract. My work evolves through this lens, where symmetry, rhythm, and abstraction flow as interconnected forces—much like music, invoking rhythm and movement. Playfulness and curiosity are ever-present, leading me toward new discoveries within the creative process.
In my figurative work, I delve into the human psyche, drawing upon myth, emotion, and identity as pathways to deeper self-understanding. The interplay between the conscious and unconscious creates a rich space for exploration, where ancient stories and archetypal imagery reveal insights into modern notions of identity. These visual dialogues invite reflection on the complexities of emotional and psychological landscapes we traverse, both individually and collectively.
Welcome to my artistic world, where patterns, textures, and emotions converge.
With a background in textile design from the National College of Art and Design, and painting from the National Academy of Fine Arts in Oslo, my work is a fusion of craft and fine art. I draw inspiration from interplay of symmetry, rhythm, and ornamentation, shaped by techniques such as traditional weaving, screen printing, and digital textile printing.
Throughout my career, I have cultivated a rich portfolio of textile collections, spanning from upholstery fabrics and curtains to bespoke art prints. My passion for pattern and design is seamlessly woven into my visual art, where geometric forms, natural rhythms, and organic textures coalesce to form dynamic narratives. Each piece is an exploration of balance—between structure and fluidity—inviting viewers to uncover layers of meaning within the composition.
Beyond my personal artistic practice, I offer consulting services to integrate art harmoniously into both private and public spaces. Whether designing for residential, commercial, or public environments, I craft bespoke solutions that align art with interior design, creating a cohesive and personalized visual identity.
Techniques
I work through an interdisciplinary approach, blending photography, painting, and drawing into a cohesive digital format. This creative process results in unique artworks, which are meticulously printed using the DGA (Digital Graphic Art) technique, allowing for versatile adaptations in both size and material—whether paper, canvas, textiles, glass, or aluminum.
In parallel to my digital work, I also explore traditional media, including charcoal drawings, line art, oil painting, and textile printing. The fusion of these time-honored and contemporary techniques imbues each piece with a distinctive depth, texture, and richness, while providing flexibility for presentation across various mediums and surfaces.
The DGA technique offers an advanced and precise method for transforming digital interpretations of my artworks—whether drawings, paintings, or photographic elements—into high-resolution prints. This ensures that the subtle nuances and fine details of the original creation are impeccably preserved, regardless of the chosen material.
Solo Exhibitions
2011
"Pattern in Process," Rom for Ide, Oslo
2010
"Lingua Franca" (collaboration with Paul Hellsegg), Oslo City Hall
2010
Eidsvoll Building, Eidsvoll, Norway
2007
Nicolines Hus, Kragerø (with Runi Langum)
2005
"Stillhetens Favn" (The Embrace of Silence), Berg Museum
1999
"Det Forgjengelige" (The Ephemeral), Galleri Petterson, Molde
1999
"Introspekt," Urd Galleri, Bergen Festspillutstiller
1996
"Transformasjon," Kongsberg Kunstforening
1994
"Rom," Gamle Ormelet – Tjøme Art and Culture Centre (Vestfold Festspill Exhibition, with Knut Steen)
1992
"Tidsreisen," Unge Norske Kunstnere (Young Norwegian Artists)
Commissions and Illustrations (selected)
Aschehoug Publishing
Dam Forlag
Hydro
Posten (Norwegian Postal Service)
Enøk
Public Art and Decorations
Årdal Community Hall
Sannidal Youth School
Vitalkost
Røtter
Bortenfor
Ingensteds
Mel-boden / Bærums Verk
Education
1989-1993
National Academy of Fine Arts, Oslo (Painting)
Professors: Per Kleiva, Paul Brandt, Ørnulf Opdahl
1986-1989
National College of Art and Design, Oslo (Textile Design)
1985-1986
Strykejernet Art School
1981-1982
Kampen Painting School
Group Exhibitions (selected)
1995
UKS (Young Artists' Society)
1996
JMS
1992/93
Galleri Kokkegården, Tønsberg / Ormelet Art Centre / Unge Norske Kunstnere / Oslo Kunstforening
Art Collections (selected)
The Norwegian Radium Hospital
IBM
Kværner
Fearnley
Kreditkassen
Hotel Bristol
Statoil
Årdal Municipality
Aftenposten
Storebrand
Harstad Hospital
Bærum Town Hall