Behind the enigmatic and surreal worlds of outrunyouth
Victor Sillue aka outrunyouth, is a 25-year-old self-taught digital artist, from the picturesque city of Bergen, Norway. His artistic vision is deeply rooted in the exploration of surreal worlds, where reality blurs with fantasy, and where melancholia, mystery, and escapism intertwine. Victor’s work is characterized by his meticulous attention to color, creating captivating first impressions that invite the viewer to delve deeper into the hidden layers of his art. Each piece serves as an invitation to leave the familiar behind and journey into the strange and thought-provoking realms he creates.
Driven by a fascination with the unknown, Victor draws inspiration from folklore, dreams, and the elusive complexities of life. His art thrives on the tension between the seen and unseen, bringing to light the mysteries that evade simple understanding. Through his distinct style, Victor builds worlds that not only captivate the imagination but also prompt reflection, leaving an indelible mark on those who seek meaning beyond the surface.
Let’s discuss your name, how you got it, and how it relates to your images, which often contain an anonymous figure always on the cusp of what seems ominous or enlightening (as though this figure is outrunning something). Is this union between your moniker and thematics intentional or naturally arising?
I created my Instagram account in the beginning of Covid. I wanted to share and repost art that facinated me, and one of my biggest obsessions at the time was the “outrun aesthetic”, hence the name. Something about the mystery, vibrant landscapes and pure transience really captured me. After submerging myself in this aesthetic and others like lo-fi and vapourwave for a year, and curating art daily, I had the urge to create myself.
I started out with digital collage, blending vivid landscapes together, often highlighting a large sun or a vintage car. My style has evolved since then, but still retains that core theme of escapism. And the character you see exploring my work, emerged as time went on-in a way becoming the navigator of my own imagination.
Being from Norway—and if a substantial difference exists—how does its pop culture differ from the American kind, and how does your art reflect your national media milieu?
I believe Norwegian pop culture is deeply rooted in nature. With nearly 70% of Norway uninhabited, the constant presence of natural beauty and the drive to preserve it have intertwined us with our environment in a very unique way. This connection is evident in our music, fashion, food, politics and entertainment. Personally, I’ve always been intrigued by folklore and Nordic noir—elements that strongly influence my work, whether through a sense of mystery or otherworldly qualities.
Many of your wonderful shows have taken place in major artistic hubs like Paris and New York. You have also participated in traditional exhibitions and digital NFT-focused ones. That being said, how do you view the relationship between these two worlds (traditional and digital) evolving in the future? Do you see them converging or diverging further, and why?
I see traditional and digital art as two sides of the same coin, gradually converging as technology evolves. While there’s still a divide, especially in how they’re perceived by different audiences, the line is blurring. Digital art, particularly through NFTs, is gaining legitimacy, and traditional institutions are beginning to embrace it. I believe this convergence will continue, with digital and traditional methods complementing each other, creating joint experiences that offer new ways for artists to express themselves and for audiences to engage with art.
Victor, you are from a generation that has taken power into its own hands to produce a brand and world, which is then sold through personal tech like blockchain for easy distribution. Your generation is also native to community building and hype production, which becomes a lauded art form in itself. With this being said, how do you view the current short-term trends in crypto around meme coins and how this has shifted focus from great art to quick profits?
The rise of meme coins and the emphasis on quick profits in the crypto space is both fascinating and concerning. On one hand, it demonstrates the power of collective action. On the other, it distracts from the more meaningful and innovative uses of blockchain technology, especially for artists. My focus remains on creating work with lasting impact, but the trend toward short-term gains definetly overshadows genuine artistic endeavors. Personally, over the years I’ve noticed that these hollow pursuits come and go, while the community of artists only grows stronger with each cycle.
Many Gen Z artists and those now budding have inherited a world filled with fraught realities, which always influence what they create, be it acknowledged or ignored. In our time, how do you view the role of the artist? Is your work, per se, a call to action, or is it for you a refuge of sorts, or is it something more specific to your private experience? Please explore.
For me, art is both a refuge and a form of introspection rather than a direct call to action. It’s a way to process the complexities of the world and my own thoughts. While some artists use their work to directly engage with societal issues, I aim to create spaces for exploration. I believe the role of the artist today can be multifaceted—whether it’s to provoke, comfort, or reflect, what matters is authenticity and personal truth. My work is more about inviting viewers to explore their inner landscapes rather than making a public statement.
Your current style doesn’t immediately announce itself as digital. It has artifacts of film or photography when closely scrutinized. How did you land upon this new aesthetic, and what are you seeing it slowly evolve into now?
I’ve alwyas loved the control that digital tools, especially 3D, provide. But at times it can replicate reality a bit too accurate for my liking, so I like to dial it back a bit by taking a more stylistic approach- using monochromatic colour palettes, playing with unrealistic scale and surreal themes.
I’m greatly inspired by film-photography and the raw, tactile feeling it produces. I find that bringing some of these analog effects into the process helps elevate the depth and emotion in my work. I’m really happy with where I am style-wise, and I only arrived here through a lot of trial and error. As for what I think it will evolve into, only time will tell- and that really what excites me.
You have experienced great success through social media, what advice would you give to artists on how to best utilize digital communication tools to maximize their reach?
In my experience, I started out not really showing or sharing anything about myself. I just stayed active and consistent day after day, sharing work. Once there was interest, naturally I opened up more- showing more of me. But, I think the driving factor has always been that I genuinly really like what I do.
I think by being authentic to yourself and your interests, you’re inadvertently authentic to others. I think this combination of consitency, autenticity and interaction- paired with a strong interest and a slight know-how of social media can get you far. Not everything has to hit the nail right away, but you need to keep hitting until you do.
Your earlier works had a video game aesthetic that felt super engaging for popular brand ads. What brands would you love to work with that align with your overall vision?
There are many large brands I’d love to collaborate with- NVIDIA being at the top of my list. They’re at the cutting edge of technology and have numerous exciting initiatives for artists. In fact, the computer I use every day to create my work is equipped with an NVIDIA GPU, which I rely on for rendering.
I also really enjoy working with other artists. While I’ve done a lot of cover art over the past few years, creating concert visuals is something I’m particularly interested in. I’d also love to design book covers and movie posters, especially in the thriller and fantasy genres, as I believe my style would complement those well. The great thing about my field is that the opportunities are endless. There is always something new to learn, people to meet and boundaries to push.
All images courtesy of outrunyouth, shared with permission
