Mona Øino Øen on exploring memories, connection and stories through art

By Celina Tran | Photos: Atelier MØ

What makes a memory linger? Is it the clarity in fleeting moments, the emotions it stirs, or the way it changes as time passes? Bridging the abstract and the figurative, Norwegian artist Mona Øino Øen attempts to explore human connection, emotions, and how experiences shape us.

In the quiet corners of her childhood in Hallingdal, Norway, Mona Øino Øen could often be found crafting with her hands. Whether it was drawing, painting, or other forms of art, she was always creating.

“Art, to me, has always been a refuge, a way to enter my own world,” she says. “To me, the act of painting is almost like entering a meditative state, a bubble where the world fades away and I can clear my mind.”

Mona Øino Øen on exploring memories, connection and stories through art

On a Walk with Grandma.

Her love of art has followed and stayed with her throughout her life, but as is often the case, growing up meant that life’s practicalities called. She found herself on a more stable, traditional path, putting these artistic dreams aside. Still, the pull of creativity was never far away, always lingering in the background so whether it was knitting, crocheting, or other hobbies, she always found a way to sate the itch in her hands.

“Everything changed as the years passed and my children got older. I discovered these weekend art courses at Nydalen Art School in Oslo, and weekend classes quickly led to a full comprehensive fine arts programme at the school, which opened up so many more doors for me,” Øen explains.

Today, her work often tells stories that are both personal and universal, and has been exhibited at both solo and group exhibitions all over. In addition to these, she’s a fully-fledged member of the prestigious Norwegian Association for Independent artists (NFUK), joining a group of incredible artists in creating and sharing art that touches the masses.

A Friend in Life.

Art that reflects the human experience

Hailing from Hallingdal, one of eastern Norway’s mighty valleys, it’s no wonder that nature plays a profound role in Øen’s art and life. She explains that her art, a fusion of the abstract and the figurative, is often deeply inspired by both the landscapes of her Hallingdal home and the stories of the people who inhabit them.

“I’m fascinated by the journey of life, how we carry memories, and how they shape who we are,” she says.

Nonstop.

Drawing inspiration from her connection to her local nature, as well as old historical photographs, literature, and other forms of media, her work delves into the ways life’s events and impressions influence our choices and how they mould us as individuals.

“I find myself particularly inspired by women’s history. I’m curious about how our lives unfold based on our upbringing and experiences, how we carry our memories with us,” she says.

Mountain painting.

From her studio in Ål, Øen creates pieces that feel both intimate and universal, capturing life’s fleeting moments and the timeless landscapes that surround her. Each painting begins with an intuitive choice of colours, which sets the tone for the work. From there, Øen lets the image unfold organically, experimenting with texture, form, and mood.

“My paintings begin with a spontaneous and intuitive exploration of colours on canvas or paper, often using mediums like acrylic, watercolour, or ink. Over time, these abstract beginnings evolve into figurative works, where human relationships and life’s journeys take centre stage,” she explains.

From there, patterns and dissolving forms contrast with sharper, structured elements. Often, her paintings feature women as central figures, set against the backdrop of powerful natural landscapes or quiet, untouched wilderness.

Time.

“One of my favourite pieces that I’ve made, Non-Stop, depicts a colourful, abstract scene of children at a birthday party. The figures are hinted at rather than fully rendered, allowing viewers to fill in the details with their imagination,” the artist says.

At first glance, Øen’s work is striking — a fusion of abstractness and figurative storytelling. But as you linger, more and more layers begin to reveal themselves. Through her work, Øen invites us all to pause, to reflect, and to consider the stories and landscapes that shape our own lives.