EFTA01100748.pdf

SMART ART: pre-war expressionists. But the Oslo-based New York City, which she describes as MUNCH MEETS THE RAMONES artist is quick to observe that the German "the most wonderful city in the world." Her paintings are full of strong and com- painters of the 1920s and 1930s were in In November, she will show some of her plex emotions like despair, transcendence their turn heavily indebted to the trailblaz- works at the well-known Nello restaurant and melancholy - feelings also expressed ing work of Norwegian master Munch. on the Upper East Side. a hundred years earlier by her countryman Many of Semb's works — including "A lot of people are so scared by my Edvard Munch. But this artist is a cheerful the Christ-like "Angel," which has some work. They think it is too intense. But some and attractive, modern Norwegian woman of the qualities of a Rouault seem to be Americans who know about my work seem who loves rock n' roll. portraits of Africans. Indeed, the artist has to like it," she observed. When we met her in March, painter been inspired by extensive travel in the Trude Sent was wearing a black T-shirt Middle East and Northern Africa, although PAVIU BARTAI. lauding The Ramones. One of her most she does not use models for the paintings," she said. For more info, see: www.sembart.com. affecting paintings is called "Children of the Revolution' (also the tide of an old T- Semb said she is indebted to her long- Rex rock song), showing a trio who seem time mentor and teacher Rados Dedic, an to have lost hope and seen their ideals and expatriate originally from Montenegro who dreams shattered by hard experience. taught at the State Academy of Art in Oslo. "I don't want to be an intellectual or Dedic committed suicide in October 2000. academic artist. I want to say something Trude Semb is well aware that her work important about what it means to be a stands out from the pop culture crowd as human being; Semb said. much more serious and more gloomy than Semb's works have a timeless quality, most. But her paintings have found their as though she is on a voyage of discovery way into the private homes of several major into the depths of the human soul. Not sur- art collectors on both sides of the Atlantic. prisingly, she is a great fan of the German She has a studio in the SoHo district of WAS VOLUME XVI I NORDIC REACH 21 EFTA01100748