David Sandum was born 1971 in Gothenburg Sweden, as the second oldest of six children. Today he resides in Moss Norway, probably much thanks to his Norwegian wife Kjersti. Together they have two sons, Alexander (12) and Andreas (8).

Early on he displayed a talent for drawing, and in 9:th grade one of his drawings was selected for an exhibit at the Gothenburg Art Museum for “evolving young students”.

David is self-taught, even though he took courses in art history and introductory art as an undergraduate student at the University of Utah (1995-1999). Learning theoretically about art was a boost David says: “For the first time my eyes were opened to all forms of art, not just the realistic motifs people tend to fancy; particularly enthused by colour and expressionism”.

After graduating with a BA in Organizational Communication and History, David and his family moved to Norway after nearly six years in the United States. Soon, he was employed in the IT-industry and with years of stress the new changes gradually led to a collapse. It was during this difficult time David took up oil painting: “Painting and drawing helped me to do something with my depression and generate a sense of purpose in a meaningless world. But on the same token, it was also frustrating and exhausting, constantly struggling to find my work complete ”. His paintings "Depression Prayer" and "Law of the Jungle" were some of his most expressive from this time period (see gallery).

Just like any artist, David draws inspiration from somewhere, and he doesn’t hesitate to confess his sources of motivation: “Monet’s skies, Vincent’s yellow, Matisse's red, Bonnard's blue, and Munch’s expressiveness.”

Mr. Sandum had his first exhibit in November of 2002 in Moss; a collection of 32 paintings and drawings; some already sold but collected for the event to recap the past three years of work. The exhibit received several local newspaper headlines and it was well visited and 9 paintings were sold. “It was hard to separate myself with some of the pieces" he says. "It was like tearing a piece of my soul out and giving it away” Since then he has had several exhibits and works fulltime as an artist. "Life is still hard" he says "but the artistic process renders empathy and an outlet for pain. It also supplies what depression wishes to destroy--a glance forward. That's the beauty with art; it constantly creates."

CV

ONE-MAN SHOWS:

2007 - Galleri Soon, Son.

2006 - Galleri Haugene, Halden.

2005 - Rygge Kunstførening: Galleri Hadeland.

2002 - Møllerbyen, Moss.

GROUP-EXIBITIS:

2006-Galleri Varden, Moss (9 oil- paintings).

2005-Galleri Vera, Drøbak (3 oil- paintings).

2003 - Sykehuset Østfold Moss (DPS). (3 oil paintings)

AWARDS:

2007: H. Lundbeck scholarship.My painintg "In her Dreams" selected for the 2007 art-calendar.

2008: H. Luncbeck scholarship. The painting "Walking Away," chosen for the 2008 calendar.

PUBLIC DECORATIONS: (Utsmykknings Oppdgrag)

2005: Bratten Strand Retreat, Skagen, Denmark: Two oil paintings.

2007-2008: Hvaler Resort, Norway: Four large oil paintings.

AQUIRED BY: (inkjøpt av)

Sykehuset Østfold Moss (DPS)

Kirkevergen i Rygge Kommune.

Private collectors in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and the United States (Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Virginia, Florida and Oregon).

EDUCATION

2003: MA studies. Portland State Universtiy: Communication

1995-1999: University of Utah, BA. Orgniational Communication, History minor.

1989-1990: Burgårdens Gymnasium Göteborg, Sweden. Social Pedagogisk Linje.