Lars Morell (b.1980) began his studies at the Nordland Art and Film School, Kabelvâg in 2001 before enrolling at the National Academy of Fine Arts, Oslo, from which graduated in 2005. Morell’s work has always challenged the distinction between the visible and invisible. Utilising fin de siècle techniques of illusionism and invention Morell invokes a paranoiac trickery upon the viewer, his forms resemble that which they are not. Across a complex and diverse body of work consisting of photographs, sculptures, and installations Morell has developed an internationally recognised iconography of distortion. Repurposing the imagery of his earlier works Morell engages with a nostalgia that simultaneously reflects the resemblance of his forms to familiar objects; broad brushstrokes that first appear as vast roots transform into the outlines of chains and ropes. Through these uncanny forms, which Morell refers to as distorted still lives, the dilemma between illusion and deception is presented.
Solo exhibitions include (Upcoming) QB Gallery, Oslo, Norway (2025); (Upcoming) Tickling Fingers, Infinite View, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London, UK (2024); Liquid Attempts, QB Gallery, Oslo, Norway, Curse, Effect, QB Gallery, Oslo, Norway (2022); Fog Reader, CINNAMON, Rotterdam, Netherlands (2020); Tâkeleser, QB Gallery, Oslo, Norway (2018); Fog Reader, CINNAMON, Rotterdam, Netherlands (2018); Frames and Seconds, Stephane Simoens, Knokke, Belgium (2017); Mørkets muligheter, BGE, Stavanger, Norway (2017); Lars Morell, Art Rotterdam, CINNAMON, Rotterdam, Netherlands (2016); Second Sight, CINNAMON, Rotterdam, Netherlands (2016); Maids Medium, Prosjektrom Normanns, Stavanger, Norway (2015); Recent Works, KANT, Copenhagen, Denmark (2014); Silent Codes, Choi & Lager, Cologne, Germany (2013); Porta’s Description, Palais de Tokyo, Paris, France (curated by Marc Bembekoff) (2013); Hotel Paris, Galerie Nivet-Garzon, Paris, France (2012); Balls. Bubbles. Blisters., GAD, Oslo, Norway (2010); Short Sad Thoughts, Peria Mode, Zürich, Switzerland (Curated by Fabian Schöneich) (2010); Tom Means Empty in Norwegian, Galleri S.E, Bergen, Norway (2009) and Catalog of Wonders, Point Éphémère, Paris, France (curated by Agnès Violeau) (2008).
Group exhibitions include (Upcoming) Enter Art Fair, with QB Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark (2024); (Upcoming) Summer Group Show, PLUS-ONE Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium (2024); (Upcoming) Aesthetic Echoes, PLUS-ONE Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium (2024): Art Brussels, with PLUS-ONE Gallery, Belgium (2024); Painting Today, QB Gallery, Oslo, Norway (2022); Søgne gamle prestegârd, Søgne, Norway (2021); Pâ gjennsyn! Fra Katta til Kunstilo, SKMU, Kristiansand, Norway (2021); As far as my Eye can Sea – The Expedition Exhibition, Bomuldsfabriken, Arendal, Norway (2021); Villa Bazaar, Norsk Billedhoggerforening, Oslo, Norway (2020); Creation of a Moment, Kaviar Factory, Henningsvær, Norway (2019); Papir, Norsk Industriarnbeidermuseum, Rjukan, Norway (2018); Sørlandets Kunstmuseum, Kristiansand, Norway (2015); El Hotel Eléctrico, Museum of Contemporary Art, Antwerp, Netherlands (Curated by Edwin Carels) (2014); BYOB, Palais de Tokyo, Paris, France (Curated by Rebecca Lamarche-Vadel) (2012); No Base; Vigelandsmuseet, Oslo, Norway (Curated by Trine Otte Bak Nielsen) (2011); Uten ramme, nye rom, Tromsø kunstforening, Tromsø (Curated by Svein I. Pedersen & Eva S. Vikjord) touring exhibition (2010); Cut Ups, Centrum för Fotografi, Stockholm, Sweden (Curated by Liv Stolz) (2009); Nationalmuseum, Berlin, Germany (Curated by Lars Monrad Vaage) (2008); Poll of Push and Pull, International Studio & Curatorial Program, New York, United States (2008).
Highlights and Collections
In 2022 Morell received the Billedkunstnernes Vederlagsfond (BKV) - 3 år, Oslo, Norway. This followed his receipt of the Ingerid, Synnøve og Elias Fegerstens stiftelse, Oslo, Norway and Prosjektstøtte, Billedkunstnernes Vederlagsfond, Oslo, Norway in 2020. Between 2005 and now Morell has been the recipient of over 20 such prizes. Morell’s works is in numerous private collections as well as Gard AS, Oslo/Grimstad; Sørlandets Kunstmuseum, Kristiansand; REV, Oslo; NMBU, Campus Ås; Kunst på arbeidsplassen, Oslo; KLP, Oslo; Arkwright, Oslo; Statoil, Oslo; KLP, Oslo; Statoil, Oslo; Sørlandets Kunstmuseum, Kristiansand; Bergen Kommune, Bergen; Malmö Konstmuseum, Malmö; Statoil, Stavanger; Sørlandets Kunstmuseum, Kristiansand and Kristiansand Kommune, Kristiansand.