Einar Grinde

Einar Grinde (b. 1989) is a Norwegian artist based in Trondheim, primarily working with installation art and sculpture. Grinde explores themes of power, class hierarchy and history in his works – with a focus on transformation in both a historical and cultural sense. In recent years, Grinde has particularly had a big fascination for horses and their symbolism in art. According to the artist, horses have had a shifting role from a vital tool in agriculture and warfare, to a symbol of prestige and sport. For example – a ploughing horse was once essential to farming, but now they might be seen stripped of their utility. The horse is now – for many – a symbol of elegance and control, whether they are showcased in dressage competitions or kept as a status symbol. Through his work he emphasizes the ethical considerations opposed to the aesthetic side by mixing classical sculptural techniques with contemporary materials like everyday objects that we often tend to throw away or take for granted.

Grinde earned his bachelor's degree at the Bergen Art Academy (NTNU), and later completed a master's in Fine Art and NTNU's faculty of Architecture and Design. His works have been featured in SKOG's exhibition Nordic Fragments, where he showcased some of his works with the recurring horse motif, reflecting on their shifting cultural and historical roles. These motifs were also featured at Høstutstillingen in 2021.

This text is written by Simone Brunstad and based on an interview with Einar Grinde conducted by William Schalla, BA student in; Art and Dissemination at OsloMet, on September 18, 2024.

Photo: Kevin Fauske

Einar participated at SKOG’s exhibition Nordic Fragments algonside other nordic artists.