Artist Series 2023: Andreas Lie
We first set eyes on Norwegian artist Andreas Lie’s work when we saw the poster for the Patagonia documentary, “Jumbo Wild.”
The now-iconic grizzly bear, with British Columbia’s pristine Jumbo Valley superimposed in its back, tells the story in an instant about the locals’ passionate fight to keep this area wild. A picture, indeed, is sometimes worth a thousand words.
Years later, we’ve finally partnered with Lie for our topsheets. The results are mystical—a fox pounces over snowy trees, a polar bear wades through Northern lights, a malamute keeps watch over an alpine slope, and a bison stares back at you through the fog. Whichever ones you choose, these skis will become your spirit animal.
Lie now lives in Bergen, Norway, and also works as an electrical engineer. (He is not the Norwegian footballer of the same name who comes up on the Google.) We caught up with him recently on Zoom to ask him about his process.
"Polar Bear" by Andreas Lie
Wagner: How do you create these “superimposed” images?
Lie: Everything is created in photoshop. Lately I’ve been working a lot in collage, combining different images and creating scenes. I think the double-exposure media is great to portray feeling, but I don’t really have a pretentious meaning behind things. My main goal is to create something that people would like to look at and hang in their homes.
Wagner: Are you a skier?
Lie: I wouldn’t call myself that. I did some skiing in my early years, but I’ve been more of a snowboarder. I wouldn’t call myself either, but I have stood on a snowboard more than skis.
"Fox" by Andreas Lie
Wagner: Was it challenging to translate your work to skis?
Lie: I think it worked out fine, but when you have that shape, it’s very hard to make it work. Most of my animal images are in a landscape format, so that was even more challenging.
Wagner: How did you first get into art?
Lie: I’ve always liked to create stuff, but I never liked to draw. I started playing around with Photoshop in 2006 because I was inspired by something I saw online and wanted to create something similar. But I didn’t really go into making artwork to sell until 2014. It took me by surprise. It was never a career choice. I worked as an engineer and the double-exposure thing really blew up. Now I’m working 50% as an engineer and 50% as an artist.
"Wolf" by Andreas Lie
Wagner: What do you think your greatest strength is?
Lie: I think I am good at thinking outside the box and finding solutions that other people don’t see. I like science, too, so I’m not only creative. It’s nice to combine the logical and creative brains.
Wagner: What habit do you have that you think has contributed to your success as an artist?
Lie: I’m not naturally talented. So I think it must be persistence. I’ve created so much work that no one will ever see. I try to create something every day just to keep it going, even if I don’t feel inspired. It’s about continuity. I think that’s my best quality: I can do things that I don’t want to do.
"Bison" by Andreas Lie
Wagner: What’s next for you?
Lie: I’ve never had a solo exhibition, so that would be something. I’m also working on music that I like to create on the side. It’s made and recorded on my computer, but I also and I use a keyboard, midi controller, and guitar in the process. I would define it as ambient mixed with electronic and post rock elements. That’s my second creative outlet.
To see more of Lie’s work, check out his portfolio. Click here to listen to a sample of his music.
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Article by Kimberly Beekman
Kimberly Beekman is the former editor-in-chief of the late, great Skiing Magazine (RIP), and a longtime editor of SKI Magazine before that. She currently uses the title of “freelancer” as a beard to ski powder all over the world. She lives in Steamboat, Colorado, with her wonderful daughter and terrible cat.
