Former MORTIIS Drummer Hits The Arts

Former MORTIIS drummer Svein Traserud (a.k.a. Leo Troy),who left the band in 2007 to pursue his interest in the contemporary arts, will make his U.K. debut at the third Parallax AF International Art Fair in London in February. He will be exhibiting a range of his works at the event which takes place at Chelsea Town Hall, Kings Road, from Thursday, February 16 to Saturday, February 18. Entry is free to the public.

The Parallax AF International Art Fair showcases modern artists from around the world and will this year feature works from the U.K., USA, West and East Europe, Asia, South America, Turkey, UAE and Oceania.

Traserud was a member of MORTIIS for six years during which time he undertook numerous tours and appeared on the 2004 album "The Grudge", which was released through Earache Records. The album produced two U.K. singles — "The Grudge" and "Decadent & Desperate", which charted at No. 51 and No. 49, respectively.

For the rock drummer turned artist, art has become a burning passion. His motivation behind his works is "old versus new" as he mixes new medium with old crafts. Possessing a keen interest for the abstract and the unusual, his inspiration is the surreal and futuristic with a tendency towards the use of dark hues. He has an approach that often sees him using an extensive range of media in his works.Though mainly self taught, Svein spent ten years assisting leading Norwegian artist Tor-Arne Moen, where he learned the intricacies of traditional wood cutting. Moen has described Traserud's works as providing "puzzling images, saturated and often dramatic in effect, which intensifies the desire to search deeper in the work. At first the image is attention grabbing, then a second wave summons further inner curiosity."

Svein Traserud has set his sights high with an aim and desire to establish something unique in the art world. Commenting on what he hopes to achieve, he explains that “My grand idea is to develop and create something new and outrageous, something that the art world can't ignore.”

Some of his works can be seen at www.the-opisthodome.com.