Hariton Pushwagner, born Terje Brofos in 1940 in Oslo, Norway, grew up during the challenging years of World War II and its aftermath. From an early age, he displayed a strong inclination towards art, sketching and painting with a natural curiosity for form and colour. He studied at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry and later at the National Academy of Fine Arts in Oslo. These formative years provided him with a grounding in traditional techniques, but he quickly gravitated towards more experimental, concept-driven work that would define his career.
“The Bogeyman”, clubbed for 4 641 GBP at Stockholms Auktionsverk.
Pop Art Visionary with a Political Edge
Pushwagner became a central figure in Norwegian contemporary art, known for his distinctive blend of pop art aesthetics and sharp social commentary. His graphic novels and large-scale paintings often featured highly detailed, almost hypnotic patterns, saturated colours, and imagery that reflected themes of urban alienation, consumerism, and authoritarian control. One of his most celebrated works is Soft City, a satirical, dystopian narrative in comic-book form that took decades to complete. His visual style, precise, repetitive, and rhythmically organised, gave his works a compelling tension between beauty and critique.
Recognition and Enduring Influence
Although Pushwagner struggled with personal challenges, including periods of homelessness and addiction, his artistic output eventually earned him both national and international recognition. He exhibited at major institutions such as the Berlin Biennale and his works entered prominent public and private collections. By the time of his death in 2018, he had become a cult figure in Norwegian art, celebrated for his uncompromising vision and his ability to merge personal expression with universal themes. Hariton Pushwagner’s legacy remains that of a fearless artist who transformed personal struggle and social critique into visually unforgettable works.