Fredrik Raddum

Fredrik Raddum is educated at the National Academy of Art in Oslo, Norway and is known for his figurative sculpture and installation art.

Since ancient times, artists have tried to portray human autonomy trough figurative sculpture, with mimesis as the highest goal. In Raddum’s art, one can see how a contemporary culture with modern technology has moved past the bases of art as a beautified version of reality. Raddum’s art resembles a dystopian cartoon, as a drawn sculpture from his self-created universe.

Like the pioneering pop artists from the sixties USA, Raddum finds his nihilist motives in image banks of mass media and Western culture. However, as we look closer, the dystopian theme comes forth in his art on a thin line between the tragically and the humorous: with his seemingly harmless works, he addresses existentialist and political themes with a sense of humor and a keen eye for the absurd. There is always a subtle, intelligent social satire in mind without obvious display of critical attitude.

In his art, there are also many similarities to the Neo-Pop Artist Jeff Koons, both in his use of shiny materials, and critical themes such as human consumption. As in Koons’ art, Raddum always drops subtle hints encouraging the viewer to think beyond the initial encounter. The main difference between the two artists is how Raddum actually depicts the consequences and fall of man, whereas Koons only flaunts the glossiness of the objects up til the point of brake.

In later years, Raddum has taken on the Japanese film. The genera “Kaidan Eiga” is known for is movies tragic endings, which stands in contrast with Raddum’s visual language, who makes them seem more like fun fairytales. Most of Raddum’s artworks, however, revolves around his favorite subject: the late-modern man’s life and identity.