Øystein Pålsønn Lønvik:
Gull og tause skoger

The exhibition features a series of extensive sculptures made from wood and limestone, materials closely tied to his hometown of Ytterøy in the inner Trondheimsfjord.

The title of the exhibition is drawn from the sculpture "Gull og tause skoger" from 2023. The work consists of a massive elm root embedded in solid limestone. The sculpture is carved into abstract, geometric displacements that follow the twists of the elm root. Here, the warm hues and smooth surfaces of the wood contrast with the cool and raw character of the limestone. The weight of the stone ensures balance, even as the body of the elm root pulls the center of gravity in one direction.

With wood as his primary material, Lønvik creates sculptures of various dimensions that explore balance, distance, and fragility. In several works, a subtle tension arises when surfaces almost touch or precariously balance against one another. With deep respect for the inherent qualities of the materials and a focus on our relationship with nature, he creates a visual and physical tension between the man-made and the natural in his work.

His sculptures are crafted from elm, maple, and ash—wood that would otherwise have been discarded, left to decay, or fallen in storms. Lønvik works intuitively with the material resistance and transformative potential of the sculptures, allowing the material's natural form to guide the process. The large wood pieces are split apart with wedges in a raw and brutalist expression. The pieces are shaped with chainsaws and other tools into precise geometric forms and lines, often colored in bold dark blue sea tones, allowing the tree rings to shine through. Lønvik’s distinctive visual language thus combines the forces of nature and human intervention in a bold interplay.

Lønvik’s hometown, Ytterøy, is characterized by a limestone-rich belt that nourishes a diverse flora, including the elm tree (Ulmus glabra). His choice of materials is closely tied to the island’s historical resource extraction and unique ecology. Mining operations were established there as early as the 16th century, and by the 19th century, the island was a significant global player in copper and pyrite extraction, accounting for 20–30% of the world market. Today, Lønvik lives on the family farm, Lønvik, where limestone extraction was an important industry until 1970. Plans to reopen the limestone quarry are now under consideration, a proposal the artist opposes.

The exhibition "GUll og tause skoger" sheds light on the small island’s heritage and challenges related to resource exploitation, reflecting the tension between human intervention and the fragility of nature—a theme deeply rooted in the island’s past and future.

The artist has received support for the exhibition from the Visual Artists’ Remuneration Fund and was awarded TSSK’s Production Grant in 2024.