Thomas Hjelm

Thomas was born in Oslo and moved to Devon in 1987 when he was very young.

After his university days it was definitely his intention to return because of his love of the sea and being by the coast. He moved to Menheniot in Cornwall in 2009 and has appreciated seeing his son Harry enjoy his childhood here.

What Thomas says about the inspiration for his work.

“Inspired by the Cornish coastal landscape, my artworks often have a sense of calm and remoteness to them, whilst other paintings can appear quite chaotic and turbulent.

In life I think we see a common conflict between influences that either lift us up or bring us down; and for me, quiet and scenic spaces help me feel settled and at peace.

When I paint it helps me to feel present, rather than be occupied or distracted by anything else.

My paintings tend to be semi-abstract in composition, and with my Norwegian background I have also been influenced by Scandinavian modernist art.'