Meet the artist: Julius Nordvinter

Julius Nordvinter is a self-taught artist whose creative journey commenced in 2021 as a means to explore his inner self. His canvases are profound explorations of his inner conflicts, serving as visual expressions of his deepest thoughts and emotions. Over the course of 2023, his artistic palette has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from somber hues into the vibrant and figurative.

Julius, what made you want to express yourself through art?

I define myself as a creator, the only time I’m happy and enjoy life is when I’m creating. When I don’t create I become a complete hypochondriac and my neurological disorders, especially OCD have more power over my thoughts. I feel that when I’m creating my brain is more silent and when I have not created for a long time my brain is too loud and negative for me to find life enjoyable and worth living.

Painting has also become a form of therapy for me, instead of going to a therapist and talking about my emotions, I put them on a canvas. I often hide my thoughts and struggles in my paintings to get them off my chest. I hide these secret messages either in the background or by writing them in the alphabet I created, thus I can get thoughts and emotions off my chest by sharing them, but only with the people who know my alphabet – right now that is only me. When I am ready I will release a sort of Rosetta Stone that will decrypt the alphabet and reveal the meaning of the hidden messages in my paintings to the ones who own my work.

How did you find your own artistic process? Was it a natural fit or a series of steps before you felt you expressed what you wanted to say?

Something that I find very important to my art is to not limit my expression to a particular process. Every painting has its own process and I always see it as an experiment because I rarely know what kind of painting I want to create. I don’t make sure to have a different process every time I paint but it becomes like that naturally, because it depends on the mood I am in and also my need for constant change. I often change my surroundings or move around paintings to influence me differently. Sometimes I paint with very loud music, sometimes it is completely silent, and other times I can even invite friends to watch me paint just so that I have to talk and multitask by painting and having a conversation with them.

Since I’m self-taught and refuse to learn techniques and rules the traditional way I’ve found many of my own techniques through experimentation and seeing art as play. When painting I remind myself to see it as playing and experimentation, and also to remember to make bad art. By having the approach to make bad art I don’t feel any pressure and it’s easier to tap into my subconscious and let my creativity flow. I have found that my approach to making bad art leads to great art.

Who are your biggest inspirations and what has brought you the most inspiration?

I find inspiration everywhere but to narrow it down it would be ancient cultures and masks, especially traditional African masks. Basquiat, Neoexpressionism, and outsider art as a whole inspired me a lot and are the foundation to my self-exploration through art. I grew up with fake Picassos, fake Matisses, and African masks and I feel a deep connection to them, one that I don’t fully know why. 

Göteborgskolorismen has inspired me a lot these past months as it’s a big reason why my paintings have become more colorful. Jean-Michael Basquiat is my favorite artist and I’ve studied his paintings a lot, especially in the beginning of my art journey. Some of the other artists who inspire me are Rickard Ölander, Jean Dubuffet, Karel Appel, Erland Cullberg, Cy Twombly, Ulf Lundell, and Per Kirkeby.

Big thanks to Julius for taking the time to sit down with us! Don’t miss checking out his work at Mankovsky Gallery, stand H2 at Affordable Art Fair Stockholm (5 – 8 October 2023).