“in my fear of being misunderstood and left out, I become more insecure. through my art I try to get rid of the mask I use to hide my own self-hatred and contempt. what is paradoxical is that self-hatred is strengthened by the fear of not being liked by others. to take ownership of shame, anxiety and self-hatred, I have handed over myself and my personal thoughts and feelings through art. as a form of therapy, an outlet for emotions, i use texts from my private diaries in my art.”

Elias Forberg (1993) is a provocative visual artist based in Oslo, whose work is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Through vivid imagery and bold symbolism, he explores themes of shame, self-hatred, and hidden impulses, transforming raw emotions into evocative art. Drawing inspiration from Norwegian black metal, folklore, and personal traumas, Forberg’s pieces confront societal norms while inviting audiences to reflect on their own unspoken truths.

Using texts from private diaries as a central element, his art becomes a shared space for vulnerability, where viewers are invited to carry fragments of his anxiety and self-doubt with them. Forberg describes his practice as both therapy and rebellion—a way to shed the mask of self-contempt and connect with others through honesty and discomfort. His art, born out of a need to escape self-destructive patterns, serves as an outlet for emotions, a space for belonging, and a confrontation with the darkest corners of the human experience.