Hilde Vemren
Hilde Vemren: painting, prints and porcelain
Hilde Vemren (born 1953 in Porsgrunn) is a Norwegian visual artist whose practice centres on painting. She studied at the Norwegian National College of Art and Design from 1970 to 1974 and the National Academy of Fine Arts from 1977 to 1981. Her training in ceramics is relevant when encountering both pictures and porcelain objects bearing her name.
Colour, still life and references to art history
Kunstnerforbundet highlights Vemren’s strong colour contrasts, decoration and still life. Her practice ranges from collage to paintings connected with the French still-life tradition, bringing an established genre into dialogue with a freer, more challenging expression.
In the series Antitheoretische Schutzmauer, Vemren combines references to art and everyday surroundings in tall, narrow paintings. Her own account relates the series to a discussion about the role of theory in visual art. Her website also presents monotypes, lithographs and porcelain works as distinct parts of her practice.
Documented works and collaborations
The Kunstnerforbundet exhibition of 12 January to 5 February 2012 records Morgenlys and a work referring to the frescoes of Herculaneum and Pompeii. The archive demonstrates the presence of specific art historical references, but is not a catalogue of every version or later work.
Vemren's CV records guest residencies at Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik in 1995 and 2003. The vase 100% Make Up/No.89, produced by Alessi in 1991, documents her contribution to decoration: Alessandro Mendini designed the vase form, while Vemren supplied the print. When describing a design object, distinguish the contribution of the decorator from that of the form designer and manufacturer. A name or decoration alone does not establish its production date.
What should a buyer examine?
Record title, medium, dimensions, signature and reverse. Examine works on paper for staining, fading, tears and framing effects; describe damage and repairs to paintings and porcelain specifically. Distinguish paintings, lithographs and monotypes. Retain invoices and gallery labels and compare them with the work itself. A biography alone cannot authenticate an individual object.
Further reading and art at OBA
Read about lithography, artists’ signatures and provenance and ownership history. See OBA’s listing titled «Blå» for the individual description, condition, documentation and availability. For information about selling art to OBA, visit our buying and selling page.
Sources
Hilde Vemren: biography and CV; the artist on her practice; Kunstnerforbundet: Vemren/Rygh, 2012; National Museum: 100% Make-Up / no. 89, OK-1994-0028; Store norske leksikon: Hilde Vemren.
