Tom Kosmo: Tales from a Treehouse

Tom Kosmo – Tales from a Treehouse

We are delighted to invite you to Tom Kosmo’s (b. 1975) first major solo exhibition at Høyersten Contemporary. The exhibition features a series of new works, with a primary focus on sculpture and painting.

Methodology and Themes

In his artistic practice, Kosmo moves seamlessly between sculpture, painting, drawing, and printmaking. His work is characterized by a distinct surrealist nerve, where dreamlike logic and absurd juxtapositions serve as the foundation for his motifs. Central to his practice is the dialogue between humanity, nature, and ecology. Through scenarios where nature and civilization intertwine, he explores the mythology of the forest and its animals, set within a world that often appears both fairytale-like and unsettling. Kosmo’s art frequently possesses a fabulist and dreamlike quality—at times leaning towards the melancholic or slightly uneasy, and at others, the playful and lighthearted.

Technical Craftsmanship

What defines Kosmo’s work is the rare combination of conceptual playfulness and exceptional technical precision. Whether working with classical printmaking or spatial sculpture, his pieces bear the mark of profound craftsmanship and a deep respect for the unique properties of his materials. The execution is consistently flawless, featuring an overwhelming richness of detail that invites the viewer to dive deep into the motifs. By balancing the intricate and complex with immediate aesthetic finesse, his works emerge as both technically impressive and visually compelling.

Background

Tom Kosmo is a Norwegian visual artist based in Bergen. He graduated from the Bergen Academy of Art and Design (now KMD at the University of Bergen) in 2005 and has since established himself with a unique visual universe. He maintains a high level of exhibition activity, featuring in both solo and group shows. His work is represented in several prestigious collections, including KODE – Art Museums and Composer Homes, Northern Norway Art Museum, Oslo Municipality Art Collection, Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum (The National Museum of Decorative Arts and Design).