Nikolai Torgersen (b. 1990) is a Norwegian artist based in Oslo, working across painting, drawing, installation, sculpture, and writing. His practice is grounded in expressive figuration, often pushing the boundaries of scale, color, and texture to reflect on the subjective way we perceive ourselves and experience the world. Torgersen’s work is highly autobiographical, and the recurring themes of trauma, addiction, and personal life always make their mark on his work, whether it is nocturnal textile sculptures, dreamy landscape paintings, memoir-based books, or lo-fi video installations. Torgersen’s work also engages with ideas about human nature, culture, and society, questioning what shapes our memories and defines our lives. In some installations, he reconstructs environments from periods in his life, creating intimate works that foster a strong personal connection with the audience.
Solo exhibitions include Light Years, Høyersten Contemporary, Bergen, Norway (2025); Office Wall X Nikolai Torgersen, Høyersten Contemporary, Bergen, Norway (2025); ECHO STRESS TRAUM, Galleri Fineart, Oslo, Norway (2024); She asks what the sunset means, Galleri Hervold, Hamar, Norway (2024); WORTHLESS CRYING ADDICT JUNKIE LOSER SCUM, Secret location, Oslo, Norway (2023); And my life could not be saved by flowers but our deaths will be, Galleri Zink, Lillehammer, Norway (2023); & then in continuation: Revisiting the world for dummies, Gategalleriet, Bergen, Norway (2022); 96 notes on how scaring a little boy can make him abandon reality (for ever), Galleri Fineart, Oslo, Norway (2022); Avatars of love, Kulturhuset, Bergen, Norway (2022); It tells us that sorrow is written into the contract of life, Guttestreker, Oslo, Norway (2021); My family (the burden of having a memory is overwhelming), Guttestreker, Oslo, Norway (2021).
Group exhibitions include (Upcoming) Summer Delight, Kristin Hjellegjerde, West Palm Beach, FL (2026); Enter Art Fair with Høyersten Contemporary, Copenhagen, Denmark (2025); Rift, Nils Aas Kunstverksted, Inderøy, Norway (2024); Shareponyz, Hos Arne, Oslo, Norway (2021); Fra det ene til det andre, Galleri Lysky, Oslo, Norway (2020); The 132nd Autumn Exhibition, Oslo, Norway (2019); The 124th Autumn Exhibition, Oslo, Norway (2011).
Highlights and Collections
Torgersen was named Artist of the Year at the Subjekt Awards in 2021 and received the Literature of the Year award in 2025. His work is held in the collections of Norges Bank and Vestfossen Kunstlaboratorium.