The artistic practice of Danish-Norwegian artist Nils Erik Gjerdevik encompassed painting, ceramic sculpture, and works on paper. He is known for his non-figurative paintings that challenge conventional rules and expectations of the medium. Through unusual formats, alternative color palettes, and compositions rarely guided by classical notions of harmony, Gjerdevik constantly questioned how a painting should be seen and experienced.

His works often unite seemingly opposing ideas and movements into a single, cohesive image, creating a tension between divergence and unity. This approach extends across his drawings and ceramic pieces, where distinctions between foreground and background blur and traditional perspectives are subtly subverted.