Bjarne Melgaard began shaping his artistic practice in the mid-1990s, adopting a neo-expressionist approach. His work consistently centers on social, political, and ideological themes, often addressing marginal and subcultural phenomena to provoke critical inquiry. Melgaard’s art sheds light on humanity’s darker aspects, such as self-destruction, unconventional sexuality, and esoteric religious beliefs, challenging and pushing the boundaries of societal norms and acceptance.
Melgaard’s practice engages with the complexities of individual and collective identities, drawing influence from the queer politics of the 1970s and 1980s. Through themes of sexuality, desire, alienation, and death, he reflects on existential questions akin to those in Edvard Munch’s work, yet transforms them into his own contemporary idiom. His art examines the chaotic fabric of modern society and the fraught relationship between the individual and this collective structure, simultaneously offering introspection and revealing the truths often suppressed by society.
Born on October 7, 1967, in Sydney, Australia, Bjarne Melgaard has held over 45 solo exhibitions at leading galleries worldwide. His works have been featured in numerous group exhibitions and international art fairs. A frequent collaborator and curator, Melgaard has authored over a dozen novels and produced seven films. His latest book, A New Novel (2012), was the first English-language book published by the prominent Norwegian publisher Aschehoug. His work is included in major museum collections and prestigious private holdings. In 2011, he represented Norway at the 54th Venice Biennale and participated twice in the Lyon Biennale. That same year, the Astrup Fearnley Museum in Oslo presented a mid-career retrospective of his work. In 2014, Melgaard participated in the Whitney Biennial, and in January 2015, he was the focus of a landmark exhibition at the Munch Museum in Oslo, MELGAARD + MUNCH: The End of It All Has Already Happened, which placed his works in direct dialogue with Edvard Munch’s oeuvre. In late 2016, Skira Rizzoli published the first comprehensive monograph on his career.
Bjarne Melgaard lives and works in Oslo, Norway.