HYLAND
and even Picasso's geometrics, Thomas Knarvik
is a Swedish professor and school builder, another
activist-cum-social agitator whose paintings in Gallerie
Semmingsen are likened to "diamonds" by one local critic.
About to debut in New York, he's Astrid Semmingsen's
very emotive "genius," giving her "rapturous, spiritual
feelings," yet he's only one rising star in her orbit of "well-
schooled, willing to take risks" artists.
"I also really love Helle Kaarem's highly colorful,
very abstract acrylics on canvas, her ambiguous and
sensuous themes, for she's interested in clarity and also
contradictions," says Semmingsen, in the art world for
25 years. "Art is like a religion to me, another dimension.
I hope I have the eye for talent, that the gallery is offering
something special. Oslo is really growing art-wise, and
it's very satisfying to be part of that trend."
Pushwagner
