In his art, Ness seeks a balance between mind and matter, nature and culture, and between the existential responsibilities of the individual and the collective.

Among the works on display is the monumental drawing “Sketch for a Century”, which has not been shown since it was exhibited at the National Gallery in 2005. Rising to the height of the wall and a full 26 metres in length, the drawing encompasses a cosmos of mythical creatures, fables and ancient deities.

In 2017, the National Museum received a substantial donation of works from Ness. The donation in itself is an artwork that features in the exhibition. Conceptually, the gift marked the final phase of a thirty-year ‘disobedience project’, in which Ness sought to repay his student loans with works of art. In its entirety, the donation consisted of twenty-four works, representing a return of interest accrued on the loan, a debt that was forgiven in 2005. Ten works were incorporated into the National Museum collection, while fourteen went to Kode in Bergen.

At its core, the donation reflects a desire to contribute to a responsible administration of community values. Ness’s original motivation in 1994 was to ensure the best possible ‘return’ on the investment society had made in him, both as a citizen and as an aspiring artist.

Specifically, my disobedience has consisted in not following ‘orders’, and in insisting on ‘settling my account’, but in a ‘different currency’ – on my own terms and based on a conviction that alternative solutions to societal ‘obligations’ can in fact bring about ‘win-win’ results.

As a whole, the project throws light on the means of expression available to us and the significance that art can have in society.

The exhibition features a selection of works from the donation, alongside new and older works from the artist’s studio. A comprehensive catalogue is published to accompany the exhibition, offering deeper insight into the various issues the artist has explored over recent decades.