Scan Magazine – August 2018

Issue 115 | August 2018 | 105

Web: http://www.daghol.no

Facebook: dag.hol.7

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: +47 992 99 992

as he does painting new strokes. This,
in turn, is the basis of one of his ideol-
ogies, which he calls ‘the art of doing’.
The concept is an expression of his be-
lief in the execution of the art being the
most important thing, with the thought,
technique and intent behind each stroke
with the brush, giving the painting life
and light. Too much modern contempo-
rary art, he feels, is made with the con-
cept as the main focus and purpose. As
his website states: “Every brushstroke is
a signature of the soul and that will be
the theme of the artwork.”

He likens this approach to Acem
meditation, where the aim is to be in the
moment every moment. This is closely
related to Asian meditative techniques,
be they Indian, Chinese, or Japanese.
Studying these techniques introduced
him to Chinese art, where the tiny hu-
man being in the vastness of nature is a

recurring theme. “People are so small,”

he muses. “We are utterly insignificant.

But we’re part of a big cosmos, so big

that we can’t even grasp it.”

The tiny person alone in landscapes has

become one of Hol’s trademark motifs as

well. “People say that my paintings are

so lonely,” he says, explaining that lone-

liness is something he has struggled

with for years. He has a wonderful wife

and has many friends, but loneliness is

a companion he has never managed to

escape. “You exist alone and you die

alone, and people can see the pain of

that in my paintings.”

Another theme that catches the atten-

tion in Hol’s paintings is their inner light.

Hol explains that, during some of his past

exhibitions, he would sit in the middle of

the room, painting new pieces as peo-

ple were walking around and looking at

the art on the walls, and that they would

often come over and share their experi-

ences with him. The vibrating inner light

of his paintings was one topic repeated-

ly brought up. The motif can be a book

or a forest, but the light shimmers from

deep within.

Hol’s approach to art has made him a

controversial figure in the art scene, and

many dismiss his paintings as outdated,

old-fashioned and kitsch. Hol, however,

feels that his classical techniques and

philosophy make his art timeless, and

believes that his paintings will survive

the waves of fashion in the art world.

Everything comes full circle, in time.

Painting: Selje Kloster Painting: India Malerier Dhomimal Painting: Reine i Lofoten

Scan Magazine | Artist of the Month | Norway

Painting: Libera Me