The exhibition displays sculptures, drawings and paintings by Kjell Varvin from 1959 to the present, as well as a large site-specific installation. With improvisation as his basic point of departure, Varvin experiments with different media and the reuse of his own artworks. His artistic practice links to key movements in the Norwegian and international avant-garde. The use of industrial materials and everyday objects connects to the Arte Povera (“poor art”) movement that emerged in Italy in the late 1960s. Varvin's unconventional and playful methods are further reminiscent of conceptual approaches introduced to Norway by the artist group LYN in 1972. By using rhythmic intervals, nuanced contrasts and precise balance, Varvin creates works that manifest as autonomous mental spaces.

Kjell Varvin (b. 1939) has had an extensive national and international art practice since the 1970s. He studied at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry in Oslo, École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Bellas Artes in Seville and Artes y Oficios in Barcelona. In 2015 he participated in the main exhibition of the Arts Festival of North Norway.