When entering Peter Ravn’s universe you find yourself balancing on the thin ledge between melancholy and humour. That Ravn is in love with the traditional oil painting is obvious and his figuration is both effortless and restrained.
Although his motifs are recognisable, there’s always something surreal and confusing in his paintings. It may be the position of the figures, their movements or the locations which seem naturalistic on the surface but never really are. A discomforting disquiet runs through Ravn’s motifs but also a promise of another path. Often a bubbling irony coexists with sincerity – as an underlying awareness of life’s absurdity. And perhaps a timely reminder that collapse and crisis are not only connected with pain but also with freedom.
Peter Ravn holds a master from The Danish Art Academy’s school of architecture and only debuted as a painter in 2004. Until then he used his original imagery on record sleeves and music videos and in iconic fashion design.
Since then Ravn has exhibited extensively in national and international galleries, museums and exhibition halls. He is represented in numerous private national and international collections.
