CFP: The Politics of Munch
- Region: International
- Type: Conference
- Cost: Free
Call for Papers: The Politics of Munch
An interdisciplinary conference examining the socio-political dimensions of Edvard Munch’s life, work, reception, and legacy, past and present.
This conference invites scholars from any discipline to challenge the long-standing perception of Edvard Munch as a nonpolitical artist and to explore the broader socio-political dimensions of his work and life. While Munch has traditionally been understood as apolitical and primarily concerned with existential and psychological themes, his artistic practice unfolded during a period marked by social unrest, political upheaval, and profound cultural change.
The conference is organized in connection with the exhibition Edvard Munch and the Chocolate Factory (22 May–11 October 2026) at MUNCH, Oslo. The exhibition contextualizes Munch’s 1923 frieze for the Freia Chocolate Factory within social issues such as women’s rights, child labor, and colonialism, and serves as a point of departure for the conference discussions.
Topics may include, but are not limited to, the political avant-garde, nationalism, cultural radicalism, gender and sexuality, medicine and body politics, political economy, the World Wars, postcolonial perspectives, and theoretical approaches to art and politics. Contributions must engage directly with Edvard Munch and may adopt historical or contemporary perspectives.
The conference will take place at MUNCH, Oslo, on October 1–2, 2026.
Contact details for further information:
Dr. Gustav Jørgen Pedersen
Head of Research, MUNCH
Email: gustav.pedersen@munchmuseet.no
Abstract submission deadline: March 16, 2026