Kjell Nupen (September 5, 1955 – March 12, 2014) was a Norwegian contemporary artist. He had his professional breakthrough very early. At just 17 years old, he was admitted to Statens Kunstakademi. Since he was believed to be 18, his admission caused some difficulties but he finally could start after being given an exemption. He experienced success early on, and at the age of just 19, his art was bought by Riksgalleriet, Nasjonalgalleriet and Norsk Kulturråd.

His younger artistic years were coloured by radical political expressions influenced by the turbulent political times that existed in Europe. During his time in Düsseldorf he embraced the idea, so present at the academy, that art should mean something. (Paintings from this time...