Daniel Peder Askeland: Painting as an Evolving Language
At Mesh Matrikel1 in Copenhagen, Daniel Peder Askeland presents a selection of paintings that embody his ongoing exploration of abstraction, figuration, and the dynamic interplay between nature and artificiality. With a practice rooted in both intuition and structured decision-making, Askeland’s works invite viewers into a world where colors, forms, and memories evolve over time. We spoke with the artist about his creative process, inspirations, and what drives his approach to painting.
A Practice in Constant Motion
Askeland’s work exists in a fluid space - an interplay between control and spontaneity. While oil paint remains his primary medium, he embraces watercolors and acrylics, allowing for a diverse range of expressions. His paintings often reflect a delicate balance between abstraction and figuration, where elements continuously carry forward, forming a visual language shaped by both history and new impulses.
“For years, I have explored the color green and its historical significance, composing paintings that both challenge and please,” Askeland explains. “There is a balance between playfulness and deliberate decision-making. I can jump back and forth in my ideas, creating new things in response to fresh impulses and the evolving world around us.”
His latest works push this exploration further, with compositions that fluctuate between order and chaos, offering viewers a space to reflect, interpret, and recall long after they have left the room.
From Early Influences to Personal Expression
Askeland’s journey into art began in childhood, shaped by Theodor Kittelsen’s illustrations, German expressionism, and the works of Jakob Weidemann and Arne Ekeland. Growing up near Bøn in Norway, he was surrounded by artistic influences - both within his family and through his early exposure to painting and drawing.
“My sister’s artistic world in the ‘90s had a big impact on me. From there, I pursued education and started working with drawing and painting—sometimes from photographs, other times outdoors with an easel in the forest,” he says.
In parallel, he explored sound art, experimenting with field recordings and noise compositions—a practice that continues to influence his approach to painting today.
“Interrupting an idea and transforming a form in the moment is exciting, yet the overall essence often remains consistent. It’s eclectic, but with the same fundamental tone in the end.”
The Pull of Painting
For Askeland, painting is not just a medium—it’s an ongoing conversation. The act of creating carries both freedom and permanence.
“It is about the moment of creation, but at the same time, it is a medium that cannot be mentally erased,” he says. “Even if you paint over or destroy a piece, the images persist. It’s almost like humming a painting—if you understand what I mean.”
A major draw of painting, he admits, is the solitude it provides. “It’s relatively quiet and repetitive. It can be immense but also small and still. Suddenly, there’s a flood of ideas and thoughts that need to be remembered and noted down in one way or another.”
The Copenhagen Exhibition at Mesh Matrikel1
At Mesh Matrikel1, Askeland presents a selection of works that highlight the tension between abstraction and figuration, structure and fluidity.
“The works in this show reflect a process where each painting builds on the last, carrying forward something unresolved or newly discovered,” he explains. Some pieces lean toward pure abstraction, while others contain elements of landscape and memory, creating a dynamic viewing experience.
This exhibition follows his recent show Flytende Land at Kai Erdmann Galerie in Berlin, where he pushed the limits of landscape abstraction and sci-fi-inspired compositions. Many of the works presented at Mesh Matrikel1 draw connections to these previous exhibitions, forming a visual dialogue between past and present.
What’s Next?
Askeland is currently working on a new series of paintings that juxtapose monochrome abstraction with expressive figuration.
“The techniques will likely be charcoal and oil, very traditional, but I believe the expression will create psychological tension,” he says. “I’m looking forward to that—it will likely be exhibited in Oslo in the near future.”
While his practice has become more solitary in recent years, Askeland is open to future collaborations. Anne Kaminsky(Germany), an artist he has exhibited with before, is someone he would like to work with more closely. “We’ve shown together, but I’d love to explore a collaboration with her,” he says.
Experience the Exhibition
Daniel Peder Askeland’s exhibition at Mesh Matrikel1 is a unique opportunity to experience his evolving artistic language in an intimate setting. Each work carries traces of past experiments while gesturing toward future possibilities, creating an exhibition that is both reflective and forward-looking.
To see Askeland’s work in person, visit Mesh Matrikel1 in Copenhagen. Stay tuned to Atelie.art for more updates on his practice and upcoming exhibitions.
View more of Daniel's art on his Atelie profile.
