Max Barel (b. 1996, NO) holds a degree from Oslo Fotokunstskole and HDK-Valand in Gothenburg. He works primarily with still life and landscape photography. Barel explores the relations between the familiar and the unfamiliar, rooted in the complexity of anonymous objects and seemingly mundane situations. His photographs challenge our instinctive need to assign meaning or narrative to what we see, inviting us to question our perception of both the ordinary and the peculiar in our surroundings.
Max Barel is represented the artist agency Bruu Studios
Education
2021 - 2024 - BFA Photography, Valand Academy in Gothenburg, Sweden
2018 - 2020 - Oslo Fotokunstskole
Solo exhibitions
2023 - “Abruptions” - Galleri Rotor, Gothenburg
2020 - "Skorpe" (Duo show with Sunniva Hestenes) - Galleri Cyan
Group exhibitions
2025 - Håndplukket 2. KB Contemporary, Oslo
2024 - Corporeality, Art-Icon. Bastille Design Center, Paris, FR
2024 - Hot Shoe, Graduation Show HDK-Valand, Röda Sten Kunsthall. Gothenburg, SE
2023 - “Work in Progress, BA3 show” - Galleri Monitor, Gothenburg, SE
2023 - “Inkarnasjon” - Gamle Munch, Oslo
2023 - “Att vila halvvägs” - Galleri Rotor 2, Gothenburg, SE
2023 - “Spring Break” - Galleri Thomassen, Gothenburg, SE
2022 - CFF Salong - Vulkano, Gothenburg, SE
2022 - “Looking for ants” - Galleri Rotor 2, Gothenburg, SE
2022 - "PEP New Talents 2021" - Kommunale Galerie, Berlin, DE
2022 - "FUS" - KÖSK - Oslo
2021 - "Sound #7 / Ljud in. Ljud out." - Göteborgs konstmuseum - Gothenburg, SE
2021 - "During restless nights and uncomfortable days" - Vulkano - Gothenburg, SE
2021 - "Fresh Eyes group exhibition" - Haute photographie - Amsterdam, NL
2020 - "The Body" - A60 Contemporary Art Space - Milan, Italy
2020 - "Avgangsutstilling (Digital)" - Oslo Fotokunstskole
2019 - "Røynd" – Galleri Cyan
Awards / Features
2024 - Oppkast Magasine Vol 3
2024 - Der Greif Issue 17, curated by Torbjørn Rødland
2024 - Uncertain States Scandinavia Issue no. 21
2022 - Athens Photo Festival, Shortlisted
2021 - PEP New Talents, Selected
2021 - Fresh Eyes Talent, Selected
maxoienbarel@gmail.com
004793454158
@max__barel