"Johs. Rian's later work is captivating but also enigmatic, and they sometimes have paradoxical characteristics. They appear as pure visions maintained in contemplative clarity: but they also appeal to the consciousness of the visible world in its most immediate and elementary forms of appearance . When we first get to know them, they meet us with the obviousness that characterizes any fully-featured form. " Malmanger page 3

Rian was over 70 years old when he developed his nonfigurative design language. As Matisse, he was primarily a color creator and the motifs fit into (color) harmonies. After the switch to nonfiguration, his image world can remind us of what we experience when we close the islands and see "after pictures" -...