“Narrative Disrupts Abstraction” - Irma Salo Jæger & Madelon Verbeek
The exhibition Narrative Disrupts Abstraction by Irma Salo Jæger and Madelon Verbeek took place from 28 February to 30 March 2025 at SKOG.
Exhibition photos by Kevin Fauske
Left: Triptych: Norway, Netherlands, Brain (2025), Madelon Verbeek
Right: Utsikt fra en bakketopp – senere på dagen (2008), Irma Salo Jæger
The Narrative Disrupts Abstraction exhibition brought together two distinct yet complementary artistic voices: Irma Salo Jæger’s dynamic, color-driven abstractions and Madelon Verbeek’s deeply personal, narrative-based explorations.
Grått bak lyset (1988), Irma Salo Jæger.
“Color is such a natural presence everywhere that we barely notice it. Which is why it’s important that someone looks after it, takes care of it. That too is one of the painter’s most essential tasks.”
Irma Salo Jæger reflects on her career. She has taken care of colors for more than six decades, and still does today. Jæger has been and continues to be a central figure in Norwegian modernist painting. Her bold compositions evolve from early earthy tones into luminous, spectral palettes, demonstrating a lifelong engagement with the power of color.
Left: Holding hands (in a dixi), (2024), Madelon Verbeek
Right: Fugler (Anne-Marte på Guttormsgaard), (2024), Madelon Verbeek
Verbeek’s practice intertwines personal experiences with political and social themes. Using fresco and figurative storytelling, she explores concepts of home and identity. She holds a Master’s degree from the Oslo National Academy of the Arts. She explores themes of home, identity, and political landscapes, as seen in her recent frescoes at Muralverkstedet, where fragmented sections reflect both personal and international concerns.