Bjarne Melgaard (b. 1967, Sydney, Australia) was educated at the National Art academy in Oslo, the Jan van Eyck academy in Maastricht and Rijksakademie in Amsterdam. Melgaard is often understood as an expressionist in the tradition after Edvard Munch. His paintings, sculptures and installations are based on provocative themes and elements. The expression is raw and brutal, and is connected explicitly to homosexuality, sadomasochism, drug related bodybuilding, self-destruction, and the apocalypse. Melgaard devotes himself to breaking societal boundaries, constantly confronting normative lifestyle expectations imposed by society. With his dystopian, defiant attitude and ambivalent form, Melgaard has become a primary oppositional figure in the art world. At the same time, his works also contain traits and elements that prompt critics to describe him as a classical painter with traditional painterly qualities. Thusly, one could argue he is a foremost representative of Norwegian contemporary art. Simultaneously has Melgaard’s broad appeal and popularity brought with it great recognition internationally. Nationally, Melgaard’s works have been acquired by the National Gallery and Astrup Fearnley, amongst others.