OjeRum is the alias of Copenhagen-based collage artist and musician, Paw Grabowski.

Blending classical subjects such as sculpture, fine art painting and portraiture with elements of natural wonder such as starry skies, spooky woods and breath-taking valleys, each collage holds its own enchanting narrative.  

 

OjeRum from Enter Gallery on Vimeo.

 

The Silent Figure with Landscape Series was started by OjeRum in 2015. Having participated in group exhibitions in America, solo exhibitions in Copenhagen and a Visual/Aural Solo show in Rennes, France, 2018, OjeRum has now brought some of the unique originals from this series to Brighton at Enter Gallery.

We caught up with the artist to learn a bit more about him…

What is your background and when did you first start creating art?

I studied philosophy and started doing collages when I had finished my studies and was trying to figure out what to do with my life. That was around 10 years ago.

 

What inspires your creativity?

Silence and nothingness. Music, Sci-fi and horror movies perhaps. Well that's some of my favourite things anyway, they might inspire me indirectly.

Where do you source your imagery for your collages?

I often search for old books in book markets and thrift stores. The older the books are the better.

Do you have an idea in your head before you make the collage or do the clippings shape the finished artwork? 

I try not to think at all while doing collages. It is one of the major reasons why I keep doing it; not to think, not to worry, not being conscious. In my experience the collages I do aren’t so good if I try too hard. The best collages come around more or less by accident.

 

What is a typical day like for you as an artist?

I focus on collages during the day, music at night.

You are also a musician. Which do you find easier to create, music or visual art? 

It’s hard to say which is easiest for me, I don’t really find any of it easy. I find creating music and collages natural but not easy. In a certain sense, the processes are very similar. I think every creative expression is a form of collage; it’s all a matter of combining elements – be it sounds, words, colours or images – into something new. For me sometimes it’s easier combining sounds, sometimes images.

Do you listen to anything while you work?

I always listen while doing collages, sometimes to music, sometimes to silence.

 

What is the best thing about being an artist?

The freedom.

What has been your favourite moment of 2020?

Wow tough one, such a shitty year. The sky has been unusually clear and beautiful though, because of the reduced air pollution.

Which other artists do you admire?

Franz Kafka was a true artist. I'm full of admiration for him.

Why do you think art is important?

I think it helps people see and feel and say what they perhaps cannot themselves put into images and words. Thereby it can provide the world with a sense of wonder and enchantment and keep people curious about life. Without a sense of wonder life easily loses all sense of purpose and meaning.

How do you want people to feel about your work?

I would be very honoured and happy if it would provide a moment of the above mentioned wonder in their lives.

 

See more OjeRum artworks here.