Oscar Enberg’s practice is formed from both official and anecdotal histories. His interest as a sculptor lies, not in creating a new major language, but rather building a patois that operates in minor key. Enberg’s works are inherently engaged in a kind of musing on class, conservatism and the traditional family unit. Equally important to him is a drive towards creating objects that feel loaded, and that point towards meaning, but a meaning that is ultimately inaccessible or even better, in a state of disassembly.

Enberg received the prestigious ars viva prize of Visual Arts in 2018.

Oscar Enberg (b. 1988 in Christchurch, New Zealand) lives and works in Berlin, Germany.

Education

He studied at the Canterbury University Ilam School of Fine Arts, Christchurch.

Exhibitions

Selected solo and duo exhibitions include Peles, Berlin (2024 with Daniel Sinsel); Robert Heald Gallery, Wellington (2024); Brunette Coleman, London; The Shop, Sadie Coles HQ, London (both 2023); Mackintosh Lane, London (2022 with Nigin Beck); Robert Heald Gallery, Wellington (2022); Mossman, Wellington; Stadium, Berlin; Künstlerhaus Bethanien, Berlin (all 2019); Hopkinson Mossman, Auckland (2018); Frankfurt am Main, Berlin (2017); and North Sculpture Terrace, Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland (2016).

Enberg's work has been included in group exhibitions at Union Pacific, London (2023); Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland; Robert Heald Gallery, Wellington (both 2022); HALLE FÜR KUNST Steiermark, Graz (2021); Pina, Vienna; S.M.A.K, Ghent (both 2018); Kunstverein München, Munich; Palazzo Lancia, Turin; Hopkinson Mossman, Auckland (all 2017); and Centre Pompidou, Paris (2015).

Collections

Oscar Enberg's work is part of public collections. These include Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland; Chartwell Collection, Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland; and The Arts House Trust, Auckland.

In the studio with Oscar Enberg
émergent magazine, interview by Ted Targett and Anna Eaves, 2024

The Radar: Oscar Enberg, Katie Shannon and Ki Yoong
Plaster Magazine, 2024