Per Barclay
Per Barclay was born in 1955 in Oslo, Norway. He trained as an art historian, notably in Italy, where he studied in Florence, Bologna, and Rome. He currently divides his time between Turin and Oslo.
Barclay has been known for his exploration of space throughout his career. His sculptures and installations embody the essence of space, incorporating elements such as ladders and windows, as they delve into spatial exploration, bridging the gap between the present and the distant, the tangible and the imperceptible.
The perception of space is a central theme in his photographic work. In his Oil Room series, Barclay engages with neglected settings, characterized by the temporary or permanent absence of human beings, valuing and commemorating their inherent allure. His carefully selected locations encompass a Sicilian palazzo, an industrial building near Paris, and a medieval chapel, all of which are immersed in symbolic liquids such as oil, wine, blood, water, or milk. The large-format photographs create a captivating interplay of symmetry, mirroring, and chromatic effects, seamlessly bringing various elements together. The expansive scale of his work allows Barclay to unveil intricate details and to evoke a profound sense of grandeur and a state of meditative contemplation.
Barclay represented Norway at the 44th Venice Biennale. In August 2023, he will mount a solo show at the Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. His work has been featured in numerous international solo exhibitions, among others at Museo Reina Sofia (Madrid, Spain), MoMa PS1 (New York, USA), and Hara Museum of Contemporary Art (Tokyo, Japan).
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Kunstsilo (Kristiansand), 2023
Giclée print on cotton paper with Laed frame, iron structure, artist’s oil-based mix
133 x 50 x 20 cm

Untitled, 2023
Iron and pedestal
115 x 60 x 50 cm

Untitled, 2023
Iron, artist’s oil-based mix
54 x 27 x 19 cm

Kunstsilo (Kristiansand), 2017
Giclée print on Baryta paper
133 x 163 cm
Edition of 3

Carpintarias de Sao Lazaro (Lisbon), 2019
Giclée print on Baryta paper
143,5 x 155,5 cm
Edition of 5

Gamle Deichman (Oslo), 2022
Giclée print on Baryta paper
154 x 208 cm
Edition of 5

CCC OD Tours, 2017
Lambda print
150 x 112 cm
Edition of 3 + AP

46, Quai le Gallo, 2011
Lambda print
120 x 83.5 cm
Edition of 3

La banque, Genève VI, 2005
Lambda print
200 x 160 cm
Edition of 5

Sans titre, 2014
Iron, paint, wood
22.5 x 15 x 15.5 cm

Sans titre, 2014
Iron, paint, wood
47.7 x 11 x 15 cm

Sans titre, 2014
Iron, paint, wood
20 x 16.5 x 26.5 cm

Château d’Arenthon, Alex VI, 2005
Lambda print
200 x 150 cm
Edition of 5

Adolf Gun, Harstad 6, 2009
Lambda print
130 x 80 cm
Edition of 5

Chapelle de sainte Radegonde, 2005
Lambda print
120 x 80 cm
Edition of 5