Maibritt Ulvedal Bjelke's artistic journey began with paper. While studying at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris during the early nineties, Bjelke became part of a group of French artists who sought to challenge the traditional boundaries of art by using external materials. Paper has remained her primary medium, offering her endless possibilities for exploration in both two-dimensional and sculptural forms. Her process involves layering vast amounts of paint on paper webs, which she meticulously cuts into strips and arranges into intricate grids, creating powerful works of art that invite deep reflection.
Bjelke’s work has been exhibited extensively worldwide, with notable solo exhibitions at the Mark Rothko Art Centrein Latvia, Galerie Pugliese Levi in Berlin, and Galerie Maria Lund in Paris. Her solo exhibition "PHANTASIA"(2020) at Galerie Pugliese Levi and her participation in "Chromatic Matters" (2019) at the Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre highlight her continued relevance in contemporary art.
Her impressive education includes a Diplôme d’Arts Plastiques/MFA from the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris, and a unique residency at the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation in the USA.
Bjelke’s work is held in numerous prestigious collections, including the Rothko Museum in Latvia, Josef and Anni Albers Foundation in Connecticut, and the Municipality of Vitry-sur-Seine in Paris. She has received several awards, such as the Prix de Vitry in 1999 and the Prix de Bernanos in 1993.
Her work continues to push boundaries, offering a profound commentary on the transformative power of paper and paint, with a process that reflects her deep connection to both material and method.
Maibritt Ulvedal Bjelke lives and works in Saint Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, UK
