Background
Fjell was born on a farm in the village Skoger near Drammen. His father was the farmer and painter Conrad Bendiks Fjeld. His mother was a sister of Marie Hamsun.
Fjell was born on a farm in the village Skoger near Drammen. His father was the farmer and painter Conrad Bendiks Fjeld. His mother was a sister of Marie Hamsun.
Kai Fjell became a pupil of Carl von Hanno in Oslo in 1926. His debut exhibition in Oslo Art Society in 1932 was largely unsuccessful. Kai Fjell early developed an ornamental expressionism.
His pictures are heavily influenced by rural life and traditional Norwegian folk art
Fjell"s early paintings are dominated by dark and earthy hues and often has grotesque motifs (titles include The Violent Manitoba, The Self-killer, The Hearse). His later works are significantly brighter, more daring in their use of colour, and tranquil in mood.
Throughout his long career, the female figure and various fertility-symbols are recurring motifs in Fjell"s pictures. Kai Fjell died in his home at Lysaker.
He was active as a painter until the end of his life.