Sverre Malling (b. 1977) has given the drawing medium new relevance in Norwegian contemporary art and is regarded as one of the country's most prominent visual artists. He creates work notable for its precision and intricacy, entwining together references to classical art, botany, the occult, psychedelia, folk art and children’s illustrations. Malling participated in the Norwegian Autumn Exhibition already as a 17-year-old and completed his studies at the Norwegian Academy of Fine Arts in 2004.
Solo exhibitions include (Upcoming) Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London, UK (2025); Lazarus & mitt lille lam, Galleri Haaken, Norway (2022); Adieu To Old England, The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, London, England (2022); Retrospective Solo Exhibition, Haugar Vestfold Art Museum, Norway (2021); Adieu To Old England, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London, England (2021); The blossoms we wear in our hats, Galleri Haaken, Norway (2017); Satellites and Pomegranates, Galleri Haaken, Norway (2014); Tegninger fra 22.julisaken, The Norwegian Philosophy, Kragerø, Norway (2013); Sverre Malling - Louis Moe, Grenland Kunsthall, Norway (2013); The season have no fear, Galleri Thomassen, Gothenburg, Sweden (2011); Sleeping in a hollow log, Kunstnerforbundet, Oslo, Norway (2010); Spirit Caravan, Lillehammer Art Museum, Lillehammer, Norway (2009).
Group exhibitions include Nordic Noir, British Museum, London, UK (2025);The Autumn Exhibition, Kunstnerne Hus, Oslo, Norway (2025); The Armory Show, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, New York (2024); Medea, Greek Theater of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy (2023); Enter Art Fair, Kristin Hjellegerde Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark (2023); Where Wild Roses Grow, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Schloss Goerne, Germany (2023); The Black Shuck Festival, The Belle Gallery, Bungay, UK (2023); Viriditas – The Mystical in Art, Tegnerforbundet, Oslo, Norway (2023); Drawing Triennial, Tegnerforbundet, Oslo, Norway (2023); Grafikk, Atelier Larsen 50 år, Galleri Thomassen, Göteborg, Sweden (2022); Hvitsten Salong (2022) Atelier Larsen 50 år, Kunstverket, Oslo (2022); Vi star på sammenraste hull, Sandefjord Kunstforening, Norway (2022); Slutten, art project curated by Thiis-Evensen and Sjøvold, Sandefjord Kunstforening, Norway (2021).
Highlights and Collections
In 2025, Sverre Malling was awarded a 10-year 'Scholarship for established artists' by the Norwegian Visual Artists Association, which he also received in 2014. Prior to that, Malling received multiple other prestigious awards including the Aksel Waldemar Memorial Prize in 2010 and the Autumn Exhibition Prize in 2009. In the same year he also was awarded the first Jakob Weidemann Scholarship. Malling's work is forms part of important public and private