On Tuesday, perhaps Norway’s most famous contemporary artist met Bjarne Melgaard in the Oslo District Court. He has sued his former partners Svein Roar Grande and Stein Lie. The dispute is about an agreement that was entered into between Melgaard and the partners in November 2020. Melgaard then signed an agreement that transferred the ownership of large parts of his artwork to Grande and Lie. According to himself, the art should be worth up to NOK 300 million. – I hope to get clarity on what has happened to me, my artworks and things that have happened to me while I have been in a bad life situation, says Bjarne Melgaard to news. The Oslo district court must decide whether the agreement should be set aside, either in whole or in part. The trial runs from October 15 to November 1. He thinks he was deceived The background to the agreement that was entered into was that Grande and Lie had financed his artistry and the studio he ran in New York over several years. In return, they received art from Melgaard. Bjarne Melgaard on his way into Oslo courthouse. Photo: Einar Torkelsen / news Central to the case are a number of agreements and contracts that were concluded in the years before the last agreement in 2020, the so-called main agreement. Melgaard believes that he was tricked into believing that he owed Grande and Lie several million kroner, and therefore signed the agreement. – I have been told all along that I owe NOK 150 million, says Melgaard. He is represented by lawyers Ørjan Salvesen Haukaas and Oscar Lorentz Melaa, who believe that the terms of the agreement were incorrect. They cast doubt on the figures that formed the basis of the agreement. Bjarne Melgaard hopes that the trial will give him clarity. Photo: Einar Torkelsen / news On the first day of court, Haukaas also emphasized that Melgaard has been characterized by drug addiction and a vulnerable personality throughout all the years he collaborated with Grande and Lie. Melgaard says that he was unable to keep up with all the agreements he has entered into with Grande and Lie. – I was a drug addict. So, of course, I have not been able to keep up with all these agreements. I don’t even remember half of it, says Melgaard. Wants to clarify what he owns Melgaard now wants the court to clarify which works of art he actually owns and which are owned by Grande and Lie, after the agreement was concluded. Patrice Deste, Bjarne Melgaard and lawyers Ørjan Haukaas and Oscar Melaas. Photo: Einar Torkelsen / news He also wants the court to decide that Gande and Lie cannot produce new copies of works of art in his name. The agreement means that Grande and Lie can print several works of art in Melgaard’s name. Melgaard fears this will reduce the value of his works. Grande and Lie reject Melgaard’s demands. They, in turn, demand that Melgaard pay debts they believe he owes them. They also dispute that the art the case is about is worth up to NOK 300 million. Offered Melgaard to buy back the art Neither Grande, Lie nor their lawyer Alex Borch wanted to comment on the case on Monday. Stein Lie (in the middle) and Svein Roar Grande in court. Lawyer Alex Borch sits in the back. Photo: Einar Torkelsen / news – Lie and Grande dispute all claims made by Melgaard. There is no basis for setting aside the main agreement in whole or in part. Then there is no basis for any of Melgaard’s demands either, Borch wrote in his closing submission ahead of the trial. Grande and Lie told VG last year that they have offered Melgaard to buy back all the art for what they originally paid for it, approximately NOK 100 million, plus interest and costs. – We think it is very fair, because we have never had any intention of deceiving anyone, or leading them astray, said Grande. According to them, Melgaard has not responded to the offer. – I am a visual artist, auditor Melgaard does not think that the case is sad. – It is sad to lose control over your own life. And it is sad that people take advantage of it, says Melgaard. Melgaard will explain himself in court on Monday next week. Bjarne Melgaard drew a lot while sitting in court. Photo: Einar Torkelsen / news He finds sitting in court both interesting and difficult, he says. He also spent his time in the courtroom drawing. – I often sit and draw when I listen to things. It activates the brain. It gets very monotonous in there, says Melgaard. But he struggles to keep up with all the figures and documents presented in court. – I am a visual artist, not an accountant, says Melgaard. Published 15.10.2024, at 16.08
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Artist Bjarne Melgaard in legal dispute over art for millions – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
