Max Barel
(He/him)
Address: Startblokka, Østre Aker vei 90, 0596 Oslo
Floor: 2
Room number: 11
The studio is open Saturday 26 April from 12-17
Max Barel (b. 1996, NO) holds a degree from Oslo Fotokunstskole and HDK-Valand in Gothenburg. He works primarily with photography, with a particular focus on still life and landscape photography. With a profound understanding of storytelling and the photographic medium, Barel explores the relations between the familiar and the unfamiliar, rooted in the complexity of anonymous objects and seemingly mundane situations. His photographs challenge our instinctive need to assign meaning or narrative to what we see, inviting us to question our perception of both the ordinary and the peculiar in our surroundings.
Barel’s work has previously been exhibited at Bastille Design Center (FR), Röda Sten Konsthall (SE), Gamle Munch (NO), Galleri Thomassen (SE), Kösk (NO), Kommunale Galerie (DE), Göteborgs Konstmuseum (SE), and A60 Contemporary Art Space (IT). He was recently featured in the publication Der Greif, curated by Torbjørn Rødland, and is currently working on his first photobook, set to be published by Blackbook Publications in 2026. Barel lives and works in Oslo.
Photography
The Boulder, photography printed on mesh, oak frame. 2022.
Untitled/Home, archival pigment print, 21x30 cm, 2023.
Installation photo from group show Hot Shoe at Røda Sten Konsthall, 2024
Roost Modification, Archival Pigment Print, 2024.
In my studio
I will be present, and there will be an opportunity to see older works, as well as a glimpse into the process going forwards.
Planned projects and exhibitions
My first photo book, which will be published with Blackbook Publications in 2026, followed by an exhibition at Gallery 3:e Våningen in Gothenburg.
CV
Education
2021 – 2024 - BFA Photography, Valand Academy in Gothenburg, Sweden
2018 – 2020 - Oslo Fotokunstskole
Solo exhibitions
2023 – “Abruptions” – Galleri Rotor, Gøteborg
2020 – “Skorpe” (Duo show with Sunniva Hestenes) – Galleri Cyan
Group exhibitions
2025 – “Håndplukket 2” – KB Contemporary, Oslo
2024 – “Corporeality” – Bastille Design Center, Paris, FR
2024 – “Hot Shoe”, Graduation Show HDK-Valand, Röda Sten Kunsthall. Gothenburg, SE
2023 – “CFF Salong” – Formcenter Väst, Gothenburg, SE
2023 – “Work in Progress, BA3 show” – Galleri Monitor, Gothenburg, SE
2023 – “Inkarnasjon” – Gamle Munch, Oslo
2023 – “Att vila halvvägs” – Galleri Rotor 2, Gothenburg, SE
2023 - “Spring Break” – Galleri Thomassen, Gothenburg, SE
2022 – “CFF Salong” – Vulkano, Gothenburg, SE
2022 – “Looking for ants” – Galleri Rotor 2, Gothenburg, SE
2022 – “PEP New Talents 2021” – Kommunale Galerie, Berlin, DE
2022 – “FUS” – KÖSK, Oslo
2021 – "Sound #7 / Ljud in. Ljud out.” – Göteborgs Konstmuseum, Gothenburg, SE
2021 – "During restless nights and uncomfortable days” – Vulkano, Gothenburg, SE
2021 - "Fresh Eyes group exhibition” – Haute Photographie , Amsterdam, NL
2020 – "The Body” – A60 Contemporary Art Space, Milan, Italy
2020 – “Avgangsutstilling” – Oslo Fotokunstskole, Oslo
2019 – “Røynd” – Galleri Cyan, Oslo
Mentions / Features
2024 – Der Greif Issue 17, curated by Torbjørn Rødland
2024 – Oppkast Vol. 3
2024 – Uncertain States Scandinavia Issue no. 21
2022 – Athens Photo Festival, Shortlisted
2021 – PEP New Talents, Finalist
2021 – Fresh Eyes Talent, Finalist