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Artist statement
I have a need to create that is grounded in everything I do. I think in visuals, and painting is my way of calming and release my head in a therapeutic way. I love to play with colors, capture soul through eyes and explore shapes, shadows and lighting in my objects. I get extremely provoked by unfairness, societal boundaries, judgement and barriers. My work often origins in matters that are important to me - such as mental health, equal opportunities, humanity and societal unfairness. But I focus on the beauty that surrounds it. I often work on dark backdrops as I love how the motif and colors pop. My main value in my artpractice is dearing to be different in a world that constantly tries to put you in framework of expectations and boxes. Trust yourself, follow your dreams and don't let anyone dull your sparkle!
BIO
Her medium is mainly acrylic, often a brush-stroked motif in combination with her characteristically colorful "pourpaint" with metallic pigments on a dark background, which provides contrast and makes the motifs "pop".
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The artist is deeply provoked by social restrictions, prejudices, inhumanity and injustice, which is often reflected in her work. She works to contribute to awareness, tolerance and knowledge about important topics through her art. For instance she has donated to several charitable causes through her work, such as Amnesty, Save the Children, PrideArt, charity auctions and crisis centers.
Marlen was one of the executives in Female Artists Oslo 2021-2023, a member-based art-community who worked for equal opportunities for women in the art industry, share knowledge and support each other upwards rather than compete, create platforms and arenas for visibility and provide resources helpful for artists.
Marlen quit her office job of 10 years at the turn of 2020/2021 to focus on her art, and many of her artworks are already hanging in homes around the globe. She has painted live at several events, exhibited works in Milan, New York and Venice, had several solo exhibitions in the capitol of Norway, as well as organized and participated in several exhibitions group exhibitions.

Marlen E. Flatsetø
Photo: Helge Meisal
EDUCATION
Autodidact contemporary artist
2005-2009, Bachelor degree - Event Management
International College Of Management, Sydney
EXHIBITIONS AND EXPERIENCE
2021 Feb 19-28, "Love my body" exhibition
M.A.D.S Milano gallery in Milano, with the trio «Kylie»
2021 July 10, «Lake Ohrid Muses - travel to Manhattan»
Live Soaré with composer Margin Alexander in New York
Pieces: Ballerina, Lake Ohrid and Manhattan Skydancers
2021 August 14-15, Solo vernissage at Aker Brygge, Oslo
25 Original pieces were exhibited
2022 July 1-31, Solo Pop-up exhibition, Galleriet Oslo
Restaurant/ gallery in Grünerløkka
19 pieces exhibited
2022 August 31, "Art and soul", The Thief Hotel Oslo
Livepainting to the tunes of Vaarin and Sandmo
The painting will be auctioned with the event in 2023
2022 September, Directive Female Artists Oslo
Title: Director of Communications and Special Events
2022 October 7-16, "Wunderkammer" Exhibition with Pride Art,
Design og arkitektur Norge
2022 October 14, "Queer Art Gala" with PrideArt in Jacobs kulturkirke
Auction: "Pink Passion - The sky is the limit" original was auctioned to raise funds for safe cultural meeting arenas for queer youth
2022 October 17-31, Exhibition of two pieces at Via Showcase, Vika Oslo
2022 November 1- 2023 February 28th Co-running studio co-working space and Gallery at Via Showcase, Vika Oslo
2022 November 19th - Grand opening black tie
Via Showcase by Paguro, Vika Oslo
2022 November 11 - Hosting member Soiree for members of Female Artists Oslo
2022 November 25th - December 8th "Woman - Life - Freedom"
Iranian exhibition at Via Showcase, Vika
2023 January 14-28 SEEN art exhibition at Via Showcase, Vika Oslo
2023 January 27th Charity art auction, Guest of honor Christian Ringnes
Via Showcase, Vika Oslo
2023 February 25th Art & Glam party and expo, Via Showcase Vika Oslo
Live-painted and exhibited
2023 April 27th Art & Glam party and expo, Strand Restaurant Bærum
Live-painted and exhibited
2023 June 22nd, "I see RED" Solo exhibition, Radisson Red Økern Oslo
2023 June 29 & 30 Oslo Pride Club, Høymagasinet Oslo
Live-painting
2023 August 31st Teambuilding event DNV, Holmen Fjordhotell
Live-painting and team-building group assignment coaching
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2023 October "Pink Ribbon" Exhibition at Radisson Red Økern
for support to Kreftforeningen and Rosa Sløyfe
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2023 October Group exhibition at iSustain with Female Artists Oslo
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2023 December Solo exhibition at Aker Brygge
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2024 January Coaching team-activity at a hens party
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2024 January Mural - all walls in a kindergarten room, Kardemommeby
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2024 February Pop-up shop at Sandvika Storsenter, exhibition and studiospace
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2024 March "SHE Art", Streetart Norge Vulkan Oslo
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2024 March Murals in "Monet-huset", Black Pepper Indian Restaurant Sandvika
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PROJECTS
2021 Feb - 2023 Jun, "Wild Eyes" series where I interpret 10 of photographer Alberto Labradors animal photografies into paintings with my signature style: Black backdrop with realistic motif combined with colorful pourpaint and metallic pigments.
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2021 June, 3x3 m Fairitale mural in kidsroom
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2021, August, 8 Fine-art print releases
Blue Passion", "Pink Passion - The sky is the limit", "Feline Beauty", "Tropical Beauty", "Malabo", "Abiona", "Kiss my", "Adriana".
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2021- current, Print campaign "Pink Passion" with 30% donations of sales to Amnesty for LGBT rithts
2022 March, 2 9-days challenge (one new piece of 50x60 cm each day for 9 days) 50% of sales is donated to "Redd Barna" (Save the children) for their work in Ukraine. So far €1240 (kr 12824) has been donated in this project
2022 April, Release of printed T´s and Hoodies with a selection of paintings
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2023 October, Painting for Pink Ribbon breast cancer "Resilience" - 20% of sales will be donated to Pink Ribbon
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2023 November - Painting for Gaza
"Unconditional" - a reaction to the extreme inhumane situation in Gaza and seeing mothers carrying their children dead in white plastic bags. 30% donation to "Redd Barna" for their work for children in Gaza.
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2023 December - 2024 January
Mural - painting Kardemommeby on all walls in a kindergarten room.
REPRESENTATION
2021 Jan, Egenart, Scandinavian online art platform
2021 Feb, M.A.D.S. Milano artgallery, curator Ilaria Falchetti
2022 June, Context Gallery, Padova & Venice
2024 March Streetart Norge
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Photo: Khoa Dang Do
Female artists Oslo
I was proudly in the directive of Female Artists Oslo from April 2021-December 2023. Female Artists Oslo was a community and member network of female and non-binary artists with the mission of supporting each other upwards instead of competing as artists, working for equal opportunities for women in a still shockingly male-dominated artworld, and creating platforms and arenas for visibility for our member artists. The community unfortunately dissolved December 2023 due to capacity of administration on few people. But what a journey and I'm so proud of what we achieved in a short amount of time.