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