Kaja Stumpf (b. 1987, Norway) lives and works in London.

My recent work examines memory, self-representation, and the mind-body connection. Through painting, I explore selective memory and cognitive bias as mechanisms of self-preservation, visualising the rumination of possible scenarios emerging between the past and the present.

Utilising staged images and the photographic family archive, I crop the scene and alter the colours to create a sense of delayed familiarity.

The paintings serve as a visual investigation into biased recollection. They navigate the fear of the unknown, the impact of outdated beliefs, and the self-destructive behaviours that hinder personal growth.

Fragmented compositions remove context and reflect our tendency to fixate on certain aspects of our lives while overlooking others. By presenting the body as a vessel of lived experience, I invite multiple interpretations, questioning the conflicting motives behind our thoughts and our actions.

Represented by Blue Shop Gallery, London UK.