Painters in Dialogue: «In the Vicinity»

Tuesday April 8, 2025 at 17.30 – 19.00 

LNM, Rådhusgata 25 B, Oslo

Free entrance
The event will be held in English

Vibeke Slyngstad and Jinbin Chen are two painters who are concerned with realism where the painting opens a window to the world. They often paint motifs that are in the immediate vicinity of where they themselves are; for example, when Slyngstad meticulously reproduces weeds in a series of paintings, or when Chen uses photography as a base – what is closer than what can be found online? During the conversation, we will examine how Slyngstad and Chen relate to realistic painting, reality and the connection between the two. Do they want to show us that the world is more wonderful and rich than we usually perceive it? What is the advantage of painting reality compared to other ways in which it can be conveyed?

Vibeke Slyngstad is known for her psychologically gripping figures and interiors. Slyngstad's painting style is rooted in romanticism while at the same time referring to contemporary photography's critical look at human existence. Since 2016, she has integrated landscape motifs into her practice, for example in the exhibition “Wild Weeds” (2024) at OSL.

Jinbin Chen has a multidisciplinary practice that includes painting, text, sculpture and performance. Chen is interested in the fragmentary, and he compiles impulses from different sources in individual works and in exhibitions. Central motifs are the body, desire and chance encounters that can have life-changing potential.

The evening starts with us looking at the works on display, while we mingle. We then sit down for an informal conversation where we explore the differences and similarities in the way Slyngstad and Chen work and think. Everyone present is welcome to ask questions and comment throughout the event. Afterwards, those who wish can join us for a drink and continue the conversation at a nearby venue.

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Vibeke Slyngstad (b. 1968, Ålesund, Norway) was educated in Graz at the Meisterschule für Malerei und Bildhauerei (1988-1989) and at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts (1989-1994). She has participated in a number of exhibitions at Norwegian and Scandinavian institutions, and in 2009 she was represented at the Venice Biennale in the exhibition ‘The Collectors’ curated by Elmgreen & Dragset. She was also part of the exhibition Inside Outside Architecture at the National Museum, and in 2017 she had a solo exhibition ‘Color me Gone’ at Haugar Art Museum. Her work is represented in several private and public collections, including the National Museum, the British Museum, Kistefos Museum, Oslo Municipality Art Collection, the Stortinget, Sørlandets Art Museum, Nordea Art Collection, Storebrand, Equinor Art Collection and Telenor Art Collection. Recent solo exhibitions include OSL contemporary (2024), Kristiansand Kunsthall (2018),), and at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2021,2023). In recent years Slyngstad has also been part of several group exhibitions abroad; at Bocconi University, Milan (2018) and Fondaziona Made in Cloister, Naples (2022).

Jinbin Chen (b. 1994, Guangdong, China) lives and works in Oslo. Chen holds a master's degree from the Oslo National Academy of the Arts (KHiO) (2021) and a bachelor's degree from the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, Netherlands (2019). Previous solo exhibitions include "Dream Atlas," The Shophouse, Hong Kong (2024); "Portholes," STANDARD (OSLO), Oslo (2023); "Prophecies of the Post-Angel Era," Kunstnerforbundet, Oslo, (2023) and "Returnees," Kohn Gallery, Los Angeles, USA (2022). Recent group exhibitions include "Very Different Tendencies. A Selection of New Works from the Collection," National Museum, Oslo (2024); "Myth of the Cherry Tree," STANDARD (OSLO), Oslo (2023) and "Indoctrination: Multivalent Gestures," Fotogalleriet, Oslo (2023).

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Painters in Dialogue is conceptualised by Rune Elgaard and Nicholas John Jones. Rune is a visual artist working predominantly with painting. He holds an MFA from Oslo National Academy of the Arts. Nicholas is an artist and organiser. He holds an MFA in Fine Art Painting from Slade School of Fine Art, London. He is Founder and Director of PRAKSIS (Oslo).