Michael Kvium (b. 1955) lives and works in Spain and Denmark.

Since the paintings and performances of the 1980's Michael Kvium's works have focused on uncompromising descriptions of the aspects of life that we rather hide than expose to observation. Spanish baroque painters such as Goya, El Greco and Velazquez largely inspired his artistic practice from the beginning. In recent years Kvium's grotesque and perverted depictions of the human body are accompanied by beautiful landscapes and animal motives. The theme of death has a constant presence in Kvium's works, reminding us of the paradoxical consequence of conception.

Kvium’s work points towards a certain figurative realism with clear narrative elements. This narrative element was uncommon in the 1980’ies when Kvium experienced his breakthrough as an artist. His works can often be read in the light of the 1980’ies collapse of the ruling systems and the loss of meaning related to these collapses. Kvium’s way of staging the motives in his paintings contain associations to a theatre stage. This theatrical touch underlines the prominent performative aspect of his practice.

Michael Kvium has exhibited at Centro de Arte Contemporáneo Wifredo Lam (Havana), Kunsten Museum of Modern Art Aalborg (Aalborg), Horst-Janssen Museum (Oldenburg), Red Brick Museum, (Beijing), Horsens Art Museum (Horsens), Emsdettener Kunstverein (Emsdetten), The Kastrupgaard Collection (Copenhagen), Faeroe Islands Art Museum (Tórshavn), The Today Art Museum (Beijing) Shenzhen Guan Shanyue Art Museum (Shenzen), Ordrupgaard Collection (Charlottenlund) ARoS, (Århus), Rogaland Kunstmuseum, (Stavanger), DCA Gallery(New York), MUHKA (Antwerp) a.o.