Story 2 Paint

Opinion of a Norwegian lawyer on the Nerdrum's case

2011-08-23T07:41:00.000-07:00

A QUOTE from Aftenposten.no

Jorgen A. Stubberud, lawyer and PhD in Law at the University of Oslo, argues why Nerdrum may be allowed to paint in prison:

equal treatment There are inmates in Norwegian prisons that are allowed to paint. For example Johnny Thendrup, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison for participation in the robbery, has been painting with brushes and oil colors in the cell in Ila prison.
freedom of expression and artist's right of intellectual property as expressed in the Constitution and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights are stronger then the ban on conducting business. Stubberud compares an author writing a book in a prison to a similar situation of a painter expressing himself in paint

He believes, however, there will be restrictions on the sales and marketing activities while in prison and that the painter will be allowed to sell after serving the term.

END OF QUOTE

I really do hope this issue will be resolved. Such a shame.

Not surprisingly I remembered "Quills" with Geoffrey Rush as Marquis De Sade, who, while a prisoner at the asylum was denied the quills, paper and ink but continued writing in blood on the walls.

Odd Nerdrum not allowed to paint in prison

2011-08-23T02:20:00.000-07:00

Odd Nerdrum was sentenced to two years in prison on August 17th by a court in Oslo. The court found him guilty of tax evasion, while the painter pleaded not guilty. Nerdrum's defense attorney filed an appeal.The Norwegian Justice Ministry told that convicted prisoners were not allowed to continue their business activities while held in custody and Nerdrum's painting is treated as such.

Artist Odd Nerdrum sentenced to jail Views and News from Norway
Artist can’t paint in prison Views and News from Norway

Odd Nerdrum Sentenced to Two Years in Prison by Richard T Scott, painter and co-author of Art Babel

A blog by Turid Spildo, Nerdrum's wife: War Report

Petition to Free Odd Nerdrum!

Waiting for...

2011-07-20T04:40:00.000-07:00

A month ago I celebrated my 39th birthday. It was a normal day except a sudden realization that I was in fact celebrating the middle of my life. Not that it worried me nor I felt strong urge to buy a new, black and fast car but it made me think of how I had spent all those days and nights. Well, I spent most of them waiting, at least it feels like there was always something I was waiting for. But didn't we all?

to wait - to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens
I would also add: while doing mundane things and imagining the coming day over and over again.

Waiting to be a grown-up, for a birthday, a death, a surgery, a trial, to win a jackpot, for a job interview, to fall asleep, for end of the day, to become pregnant, for pain to go away, for green light, for an apology, a message, an adoption, for winter to end and for the loved one.
What are you waiting for?

I visited some time ago a small town in Belgium, on the coast of North Sea. There is a bronze statue at the entry to the port of a fisherman's wife waiting for her husband to come back home.

It inspired me to paint this portrait:
[painted in oil on 20x16in linen]

ESTRAGON:
What do we do now?
VLADIMIR:
While waiting.
ESTRAGON:
While waiting.
(Silence)
VLADIMIR:
We could do our exercises.
ESTRAGON:
Our movements.
VLADIMIR:
Our elevations.
ESTRAGON:
Our relaxations.
VLADIMIR:
Our elongations.
ESTRAGON:
Our relaxations.
VLADIMIR:
To warm us up.
ESTRAGON:
To calm us down.
VLADIMIR:
Off we go.
(Vladimir hops from one foot to the other. Estragon imitates him.)
ESTRAGON:http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
(stopping). That's enough. I'm tired.
VLADIMIR:
(stopping). We're not in form. What about a little deep breathing?
ESTRAGON:
I'm tired of breathing.

From "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett, Act 2 http://samuel-beckett.net/Waiting_for_Godot_Part2.html

Lady of the Lake

2011-07-10T06:28:00.000-07:00

Painted in oils on 20x16in linen

A lake, like springs and rivers, constantly moving and spontaneously changing, is a symbol of transition, death and rebirth. It is a feminine symbol and mythical creatures populating its waters often were of feminine nature. The Lernaean Hydra, serpent-like water beast living in the Lake of Lerna, and who by Gods' whim had to fight Hercules, possessed the ability to regrow her heads and persevere. In this she resembled many plants, not able to hide or run away but defending themselves by regrowth and poison.

Unless the lake is rich in minerals and void of water life, like high altitude mountain lakes, its murky and not at all turquoise waters, full of tiny plankton and decomposing organic matter, look dark and mysterious. When the surface is calm a lake appears peaceful and inviting. It may be deceiving though. Waterloo Lake in Roundhay Park, near the place I live, is strongly stratified, a thin layer of warm water floats over icy cold depths.

Waterloo Lake was built over an old quarry by soldiers returning from the war. It is easy to imagine a lost, stone city beneath the cold waves, covered with rotting plants and frequented by cold blooded creatures and ghosts of gaunt quarry workers.

A lake also symbolizes a mirror. Narcissus is said to have died from looking too long at his reflection, though I prefer a notion that mirror is a symbol of self-reflection rather than self-admiration.

When the sun hits the water it shimmers like the most exquisite and dazzling fabric, a dress worn by Lady of the Lake could be made of thousands sparkling droplets. Or maybe these are reflections of many swords and jewels that Celtic peoples deposited at sacred lakes and rivers as offerings to powerful goddesses or during funeral rituals.

In a famous ballet, composed by Peter Tchaikovsky, the lake where Odette and her maidens are staying, is formed by the tears of their parents. The lake is also a place of burial, as Prince and his lover choose to die together in the dark waters instead of living separately.