Hillestad is a follower of the Kitsch movement. Kitsch is championed by the Norwegian artist Odd Nerdrum. To learn more about what Kitsch is take this quiz. The painter, writer, and thinker Jan Ove Tuv wrote about Kitsch:
"THE KITSCH PAINTER SHOULD NOT BE JUDGED ON NATIONAL, RACIAL ORHillestad is working on large format canvases and on panels of a much smaller more intimate size. Many of his works explore the freedom to emulate the work of other artists that Kitsch provides. The influence of Nerdrum can be see on every wall in the gallery.
RELIGIOUS GROUNDS IN HIS DEPICTION OF LIFE - BUT ON THE BASIS OF
TIMELESS QUALITIES. THE KITSCH PAINTER IS NOT PROTECTED BY THE TIME IN WHICH HE LIVES. HE STRIVES TO REPRESENT HISTORY´S MOST SUBLIME QUALITIES, AND SHOULD BE JUDGED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE. A WORK OF KITSCH IS EITHER GOOD OR BAD, AND GOOD KITSCH MUST NOT BE CLASSIFIED AS ART. THIS WOULD BE AN ERROR OF JUDGEMENT. KITSCH IS NOT ART. KITSCH REFERS TO THE SENSUAL AND THE TIMELESS. THE KITSCH PAINTER IS COMMITTED TO THE ETERNAL: LOVE, DEATH AND THE SUNRISE. INNOVATION IS OF NO IMPORTANCE, NOR IS ORIGINALITY. GOING IN DEPTH IS THE GOAL, FOR IN THE DEPICTION OF NATURE ITSELF LIES THE INDIVIDUAL EXPRESSION. BECAUSE MODERNISM AND ART ARE THE SAME, KITSCH IS THE SAVIOR OF TALENT AND DEVOTION." (all caps and spelling are from the original by Jan Ove Tuv)
I reacted emotionally and critically to this work. The intellectual challenge presented by this work and Kitsch was brought to the fore during this experience. I am still wrestling with it.
There are some wonderful passages in the current work of this young artist. There are as many, and perhaps more, passages that left me wondering what the artist was thinking. I would love to have the opportunity to question some of the decisions he made when painting these pieces. For example, a single piece would exhibit a command of the language of light, some brilliant brush work, and some haphazard, almost clumsy knife work. The palette knife was used often and not always with success. What source was he responding to that led to the use of the knife in such a way?
While some of the work drew me in emotionally, the strongest emotional reaction was that of envy. This artist is responding to many of the same things that I excite me to paint. He is young and has an exhibition of his work in a reputable gallery. I was inspired to action. If nothing else to renew my efforts to get into the studio an work. It made me think about where I was in my career and with my own art when I was 24.
