Rolf Groven

Rolf Dagfinn Groven (born March 11, 1943) is a Norwegian painter, known for his satirical art painted in figurative style. Groven's paintings are frequently printed works of art in textbooks used in Norwegian schools, as well as history books.

Biography

Groven was born in Romsdal near Molde during the Second World War, and trained as an architect at the Norwegian Institute of Technology (NTH, now a part of NTNU) 1966–72. His participation in the radical Anti-Vietnam War movement convinced him that he should choose an artistic career. He currently lives in Oslo.

Common themes

There have been several common themes in his art:
* Environmentalism - Groven created several works in the 1970s that propagated the nature conservation. Much of his artwork commented on the fear that the Norway's newly-won status as a petroleum-producing country would lead to excessive pollution ("see " [http://www.groven.no/rolf/previewpages/previewpage14.php Oil Painting] ". He also commented on the dangers of nuclear power ("see [http://www.groven.no/rolf/previewpages/previewpage15.php The nuclear power kid] ") and he agitated for the preservation of waterfalls ("see [http://www.groven.no/rolf/previewpages/previewpage16.php Vandalism] [http://www.groven.no/rolf/previewpages/previewpage100.php Site Inspection] ).
* The European Union - Norway has held two referendums about joining the EU. The paintings " [http://www.groven.no/rolf/previewpages/previewpage49.php Norwegian Neo Romanticism] " from 1972 and " [http://www.groven.no/rolf/previewpages/previewpage50.php Free Flow] " from 1992 were among the best-known symbols of the popular anti EU-accession movement before these referendums.
* The peace movement ("see [http://www.groven.no/rolf/previewpages/previewpage36.php No nukes] ")
* Religion
* Scenes from the Romsdal and Lofoten areas of Norway

Groven's art is influenced by painters such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Käthe Kollwitz, as well as Norwegian artists such as Adolph Tidemand, Hans Gude, J.C. Dahl, Christian Krohg and the contemporary caricaturist Finn Graff.

elected works

* 1972 [http://www.groven.no/rolf/previewpages/previewpage49.php Norwegian Neo Romanticism] (aka. "Willoch and Bratteli").
* 1975 " [http://www.groven.no/rolf/previewpages/previewpage14.php Oil Painting] ". Parody of one of Norway's best-known paintings from the 19th century Tidemand and Gude: "Bridal Party in Hardanger", 1848
* 1977 [http://www.groven.no/rolf/previewpages/previewpage15.php The nuclear power kid] 50 000 reproductions of this poster was printed in the 70-ties and 80-ties.
* 1978 [http://www.groven.no/rolf/previewpages/previewpage07.php West coast girl gutting fish] ("Vestlandsjente"). Acquired by the National gallery of Norway.
* 1996 [http://www.groven.no/rolf/previewpages/previewpage64.php Women by church]
* 2004 [http://www.groven.no/rolf/previewpages/previewpage_ENG_molde19.php Molde as combat zone] Historical recreation of war time events April 291940.

External links

* [http://www.groven.no Website displaying 110 works] (Text in Norwegian)