Kaja Norum

Kaja Norum (born 17 April 1989) is a Norwegian model and figurativist painter. A former student and protégé of painter Odd Nerdrum, Norum is devoted to Nerdrums philosophy of Kitsch painting, and is a part of The Kitsch Movement spawned by Nerdrum. After the latter relocated to France in 2011, Norum is the primary caretaker of his gallery and his estate.

Born in Lørenskog, Akershus. Norum attended the Rudolf Steiner School in Lørenskog graduating in 2005, after which she enrolled at the Oslo City Steiner School. After graduating from high school in 2008, Norum relocated to Stavern in order to study under kitsch painter Odd Nerdrum at his seaside gallery.

Painting

After studying under Nerdrum in Stavern for three years, Norum debuted with her own exhibition in June 2011. The exhibition, which consisted of figurative artworks turned out to be a success with the majority of the artworks being sold on the opening day. It attracted large attention with the most famous painting depicting comedian Sturla Berg-Johansen with an erect penis. The painting, "Homo ludens" valued at US$14.500, was sold to an anonymous buyer. It was speculated that the buyer was either hotel tycoon Petter Stordalen or business magnate Stein Erik Hagen, however it was later revealed that it was actually a gourmet restaurant in Oslo that had made the purchase. In August 2012 Norum opened her second exhibition, at the Gallery Soon in Son in Vestby.

Modeling

Norum has done modeling for the magazines Det Nye and Alfa. In January 2013 she appeared in the magazine Kamille doing nude photos.