Astrup Fearnley Museet shows from 7 February 2025 the exhibition On Lies, Secrets and Silence by the artist Frida Orupabo. On Lies, Secrets and Silence is the largest exhibition to date of Frida Orupabo’s (*1986) thought-provoking work, offering an incisive exploration of identity, memory, and resistance. This dynamic presentation features her distinctive collage technique, alongside large-scale spatial and video installations, marking an evolution in her artistic practice. The exhibition is formed of 46 works, the majority of which are newly commissioned.
Image above: Frida Orupabo, On Lies, Secrets and Silence, Bonniers Konsthall,, © Frida Orupabo, Photo: Bonniers Konsthall (Jean-Baptiste Béranger).
Orupabo’s work unearths the violence embedded in historical archives, popular culture, and digital media, transforming these sources into hauntingly powerful collages, sculptures, and videos. Rooted in photomontage, her process involves manipulating, cutting, and rearranging images to create works that challenge colonial legacies still present in contemporary social and political systems. Issues such as race, gender, sexuality, and family bonds are poignantly addressed, offering a space for both confrontation and reflection.
The exhibition’s starting point is our most private and intimate space—the home. Orupabo transforms these familiar spaces into unsettling environments, subtly shifting our perceptions of affection and safety. Some works resemble cutout dolls, layered and pinned together, yet instead of playfulness, they embody defiance—reconstructed figures that embrace the complexity and fluidity of the self.
WHEN?
Exhibition period: Friday, 7. February until Sunday, 27. April 2025
Opening hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: noon – 5 pm
Thursday: noon – 7 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm
WHERE?
Astrup Fearnley Museet
Strandpromenaden 2
0252 Oslo
