Tatiana Hellum

The Step Comes Before the Road

2025

Tatiana Hellum lives and works in Oslo, Norway. Originally from Central Asia, she grew up under vast skies and radiant light that shaped her natural sensitivity to color and movement. Born in Almaty, she spent her childhood in Kazakhstan and later studied in Russia, where she earned a PhD in biology. For nearly twenty years she has lived in Norway, where the calm northern light and the silence of nature have deeply influenced her artistic vision. Tatiana’s art reflects a dialogue between two worlds — the warmth and vibrancy of her southern roots and the quiet luminosity of the North. Her family has long artistic traditions: her great-grandfather was an icon painter, and her maternal uncle is a professional artist. Though her early career was in science, her fascination with life’s invisible structures gradually evolved into a passion for painting. Working primarily with acrylics on canvas, she creates layered abstractions where rhythm, texture, and light form an emotional landscape. Her intuitive technique — combining palette knife, glazing, and transparent layering — bridges precision and spontaneity, resulting in works that feel both dynamic and contemplative. She has participated in group exhibitions in Norway, and her works are held in private collections both locally and abroad. An avid traveler, Tatiana draws inspiration from the natural rhythms and atmospheric moods of the places she visits — from vast northern skies to quiet southern horizons. Her art embodies a fusion of depth and luminosity — a meeting of science and sensitivity, intellect and intuition, warmth and light.