Meet the artist: Marit Bostad

Norwegian artist Marit Geraldine Bostad’s richly evocative paintings are works of pure beauty, and each deeply personal. We were thrilled to be able to work with Marit for our 10th edition of Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead, featuring her abstract painting Words 3 as the star of our campaign, which is now available in a limited edition run of NFTs, with Mint Art Gallery.


We caught up with Marit to find out more about her practice, how the Nordic landscape shapes her work and what we can expect to see from her at the fair from 5 – 8 May on London’s Hampstead Heath. Read on to find out more.

What can we expect to see from you at Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead?

In October last year, we launched my ‘Conversation’ series at Affordable Art Fair, Battersea. It was a fantastic experience and a huge success for myself and my gallery, Mint Art Gallery. Now my painting Words 3 is the campaign artwork for Affordable Art Fair Hampstead 2022! It is a wonderful surprise and honour – an artist from Norway being the “poster girl” for a British fair. How cool is that? I talked to my gallery, and decided to continue the ‘Conversations’ series – which explored the lockdown and isolation period.

Now that we are, hopefully, coming out the other side of the pandemic, I want to reflect that in my studio. So at Hampstead in May you will get new works with more colours and vibrancy entitled, ‘New Conversations’, that celebrate life and art as a meditation and dedication to the spirit of human resilience.

Tell us more about your practice – why is abstraction important to you?

My work investigates the human condition from the subconscious realm by exploring memories, human interactions, and the inner psyche. Free from the constraints of imposed themes and significances from figurative representation, I invite viewers to bring their own meaning to my art and to reflect on the inner workings of their own psychic state.

Through my creative process I hope to express and share universal archetypes that transcend the boundaries of my own personal life and experiences. Abstraction is a powerful tool to break from expectations. Reaching the plane where the conscious and subconscious meet is the central tenet of my practice and painting acts as a way for me to disconnect from an externally controlled world.

What does it feel like when you are painting?

Liberating, effortless, exciting. I am searching for something without searching. It’s about give and take, to guide and be guided. Like balancing on a very thin line, but always knowing you will make it, even though you flip and turn, close your eyes or suddenly change directions. When something unexpected happens, I must stop for a second and decide if I want to follow, or take a new direction. It’s about being able to let go of inhibitions, to delve into something deeper and enjoy beautiful moments of serendipity.

How does the unique Norwegian landscape shape your art?

My parents are from a region in the west called Vestlandet along the Atlantic coast of southern Norway. My childhood was spent growing up in a dramatic landscape steeped in narrow fjords cutting deep into the mountains, which has obviously played a big part in my aesthetic approach to art. Nature is an endless source of inspiration, and being in it grounds me and recharges my batteries and perhaps even takes me back in time to my childhood.
My current studio is situated at an old, disused naval base outside the small city of Horten. The area is set against a picturesque coastal backdrop and is perfect for breaks from my painting sessions, to dig in some fresh salty air and whatever colours nature has to offer.

Who are your biggest artistic influences?

I love how Francis Bacon presented his world, his absurd abstractions and his amazing colours; I love the textures and depth in Gerhard Richter’s abstract works; and I love the playfulness and naivety in the paintings of Swedish artist Hilma af Klint.

I am quite frequently drawn to contemporary artists’ work and tend to appreciate art that presents the world differently, as a lot of my own inspiration comes from Psychology. I studied philosophy and psychology for 2 years before I started studying art direction at university.

When did you decide you wanted to be an artist?

I remember my Mum (who has an MA in Fine Arts) taking me to her art classes when I was just a little girl. It was the most wonderful place to be on Earth where I simply forgot time and space, and I told myself I was going to be an artist one day. It finally happened – just a few years later than expected.

What does the Affordable Art Fair mean to you?

Affordable Art Fair is wonderful! To me it means travelling from Norway and meeting up with my lovely London gallery, Mint Arts, and my fellow artists. I revel in being a part of the variety of art at the fair, mingling with other artists, galleries, collectors, dogs… It’s a fair unlike others, more down to earth, more fun and full of surprises! The atmosphere at Affordable Art Fair is quite different from a “white wall gallery”, always putting audience interaction and conversation at the heart of the event. I am very happy that my artworks have found new homes at the fairs and will continue to provide joy and satisfaction to their new owners.

See more from Marit Geraldine Bostad at our special 10th Edition of Affordable Art Fair Hampstead from 5 – 8 May! Discover 1,000s of stunning contemporary artworks from over 100 exhibiting galleries, special curated collections, installations and much more.