Norway’s Buzzing Art Scene

NORWAY’S BUZZING ART SCENESpecial  Theme:

Ramme’s beautiful garden is only one of many unique experiences the place has to offer.

An enchanted stay at Ramme

With a striking view over the Oslo fjord, Ramme in Hvitsten, Eastern Norway, is filled to the brim with history, culture and the finest nature Norway has to offer.

By Synne Johnsson | Photos: Per Sollerman

After the invention of the steam engine in the 1700s, when Hvitsten became accessible from Oslo, the small town became the go-to summer destination for Oslo’s citizens. By the end of the 1800s, it had become a favoured summer spot among Norway’s most famous artists.

Today, Ramme welcomes visitors from all parts of the world to stay in their enchanted hotel, enjoy the idyllic surroundings and experience all the cultural and historical attractions the place has to offer.

“Ramme is not only a hotel, but a culture destination with an ecological focus. We have an art gallery, a dreamy garden, an organic farm and guests can also see the summer house of Norwegian painter Edward Munch,” Christina Storskogen, head of sales and experiences at Ramme says. “It’s the perfect destination for people curious about the past and the future, and interested in taking care of nature, traditions and our history,”

Kristiania Bohemians and Edvard Munch In the 18- and 1900s, Hvitsten had become the most important holiday destination for people living in Oslo, including members of the Kristiania Bohemians – a political and cultural movement of the 1880s.

Famous artists such as painter Oda Krohg, writer Hans Jæger and artist Theodor Kittelsen were all known to spend their summers enjoying Hvitsten’s scenic landscape. However, the most famous visitor, and later landowner, was Edvard Munch, the artist behind the renowned painting The Scream.

Storskogen says: “Munch bought the house at Ramme in 1910 to complete his Aula decorations in the concert-hall of the University in Oslo and to find motifs.”

His house has been restored over the last ten years and this is the first year it is open to visitors at Ramme. Guests can join a guided tour of his house and enjoy high-quality copies of his paintings where they were actually created, as well as explore the surrounding areas to enjoy the scenery he painted. To see some of the actual originals by Edvard Munch, you can enter the brand-new underground Ramme Art Gallery and enjoy the exhibition Munch by the Fjord.

“He painted a bit differently when he was here, capturing the vitalism and the nature in a completely different way, which we show photos of as part of the tour. It is part of telling his story from Ramme and the stories behind the paintings,” Storskogen says.

She continues: “There is one painting in particular, called Waves, which he painted at Ramme. You can actually stand in the bay he stood when he painted it and see the motif in real life.”

Mindful farming Norwegian art history is only one of a range of unique experiences the place has to offer. Ramme also has a farm open to visitors.

Animal husbandry has been central at Ramme since the bronze age and it has been organic since 1986, focusing its operation on sustainability. Today, the farm houses typical farm animals like cows and hens, as well as a range of heritage breeds such as Telemark Cows, Mangalitza pigs – dubbed ‘wool pigs’ in Norwegian – and the old Norwegian sheep breed ‘Gammalnorsk spælsau’. They even keep bees to produce their own honey.

Ramme’s restaurant bases its menu on meat, vegetables and other farm products from Ramme farm. It’s the only hotel in Norway certified with the Debio Gold standard, with a minimum of 90 per cent organic food.

“The farm is open for visitors to see all our animals and learn more about organic farming, but we also use it to produce food for our restaurant,” Storskogen says. “And we also grow seasonal fruit and vegetables like carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes, which one can buy at our farm store.”

A historical visit As a guest at Ramme, one can expect a sea of history and culture, surrounded by idyllic nature. Aside from numerous experiences at Ramme itself, the area is also filled with spectacular walking and hiking paths.

Built in both 1770s and 1880s style, Ramme Fjordhotell offers a one-of-akind stay, with each room named after a Munch painting and with views over the farm and the fjord. The hotel is uniquely decorated with both antiques and original art by known Scandinavian artists, which also makes it an art hotel.

“My favourite thing about Ramme is that you never run out of stories. I have worked here for many years and I still experience and learn something new all the time. Everything has a history – every building, every place,” Storskogen says. “And of course, it’s very beautiful here. Right now, I’m sitting by the window looking at the cherry trees in full bloom and hearing the birds sing. It’s very peaceful.”

Web: www.ramme.no Facebook: RammeKultur Instagram: @ramme.no

Sustainability is the farm’s key focus and has been ran organically since 1986. Photo: Sofie Olsen Each room at Ramme Fjordhotell is named after a Munch painting. Photo: Studio Dreyer + Hensley

At Ramme’s farm visitors can buy seasonal fruit and vegetables grown at the farm. Edvard Munch bought a house at Ramme in 1910.

Art and nature come together in Hardanger

The picturesque Hardangerfjord has more to offer than just stunning nature. In the small village of Øystese, lies the arts centre Kunsthuset Kabuso. Since 2006, it has been home to art exhibitions, music and other cultural events.

By Hanna Margrethe Enger

Integrated with Kunsthuset Kabuso is the Ingebrigt Vik museum, built in 1934 and named after the Norwegian sculptor. Though Vik was not as well-known as his contemporary – the famous sculptor Gustav Vigeland – he was no less talented. In fact, many prefer Vik’s sculptors to Vigeland’s, as Vik’s style is more lifelike.

From 11 June 2022, a new exhibition at Ingebrigt Vik Museum will showcase Vik’s completed sculptures and artist sketches, with the aim of showing new sides of the sculptor.

As well as the Vik exhibition, a few metres form the Hardangerfjord, you will find an unassuming, octagonal building with an open roof. This is Hardanger Skypace – an art installation by American artist James Turell. Twice a day, at dusk and dawn, the room is filled with coloured light.

Though western Norway gets a lot of rain, don’t let that keep you from visiting Skyspace. “It’s spectacular!” says Karen

Skyspace inside. Photo: Kabuso Aukse Drungiliene Noer Korssjøen at Kabuso. “The coloured light will affect how you see the sky. You’ll see it as green one moment, then it’s clear blue, but it’s raining at the same time.”

Skyspace is a permanent artwork, open all year. “The experience will be different every time, as it’s affected by weather, season and the sky itself,” Korssjøen explains.

Web: www.kabuso.no

Photo: Katrine Helgheim van Tulder

Breathing fresh life into the ancient craft of glassblowing

With 27 years of experience, glass artist Tuva Gonsholt’s work has been exhibited around the world. Working mainly with freehand-blown glass objects, the awardwinning artist creates unique, distinctive pieces featuring playful colours and contrasts.

By Maria Vole | Photos: Tom Riis

Space – Invaders.

The ancient art of glassblowing is over 2,000 years old – and for contemporary artists like Gonsholt, keeping the craft alive and relevant is important. “I’m focused on preserving the craft tradition and continuing to gain knowledge and skills about this unique medium,” she says.

Glassblowing requires a high level of craftsmanship, and it can take years to master the techniques and specialised equipment needed. “After many years in the glass trade, I’m still just as curious about my material, its properties and the challenges it presents me with,” Gonsholt says.

“I want to explore processes that result in in-depth knowledge and free art expression. It’s a constant search for new shapes and technical challenges in the inherent qualities of the glass, from liquid to solid form.”

Creating shapes that are simultaneously expressive, dynamic, soft and elegant, Gonsholt has a clear signature, with a distinctive design language and a common thread uniting her work. “Insects and other strange creatures inspire my work. I transform the decorations, shapes or colours of a specimen into something of my own artistic expression,” she says.

Gonsholt’s artwork is represented in private and public collections in Norway and internationally, and she has worked with several public art displays. In 2022, her work will be displayed at group exhibitions in Washington and Barcelona.

In 2022, she will exhibit at a group exhibition in Washington, and at Gallery CCAM in Barcelona from 7 July to 25 September as part of the 2022 European Prize for Applied Arts.

Web: www.tuvagonsholt.no Instagram: @tuvagonsholt

From her cold workshop at Spriten Kunsthall in Skien, Tuva Gonsholt creates stunning hand-blown glass objects.

Creature#green.

Liv Eiene. Photo: Kevin Foust

Ceramics inspired by the colours of the coast

Organic shapes that feel pleasant in your hands and comforting to the eyes, colours that mirror the fjords, beaches and coastal landscapes of south-western Norway: the ceramic works of Liv Eiene reflect her love of nature, art and natural materials.

By Alyssa Nilsen | Photos: Liv Eiene

In her studio in the picturesque Norwegian town of Sandnes, south of Stavanger, artist Liv Eiene creates ceramic magic. Taking inspiration from her coastal surroundings, she shapes clay into mugs, vases, plates and pots. Eiene gives everyday items new and exciting shapes and colours. Each item is different. Each piece is beautifully unique.

With a background as a trained visual artist working in painting and digital drawing, Eiene made the decision to step into ceramics in 2020. “Now I use the glaze as paint,” Eiene explains. “But rather than having a static piece of paper or canvas, I use clay – which is a much more organic material to work with.”

Everything Eiene produces is handmade, using only a rolling pin and ceramic tools. Each result is dictated by the material and the process rather than an attempt to create a uniform series.

“I’m not looking for perfection,” she says, “I want individual pieces that feel good to hold in your hands and that are functional. One mug might be perfect for one set of hands, another might be perfect for somebody else.” All mugs are dishwasher safe, retain the heat of hot drinks well, and are perfect for anything from coffee and tea to water and wine.

“A lot of customers claim coffee tastes better when drunk from these mugs,” Eiene says. “I believe it’s down to their organic shapes and textures. The mixture of shine and matte, the physical sensation of holding the mugs.” The whole range of products is available for purchase through Eiene’s webshop. Once a month they are also available to purchase at her studio at Stasjon K in Sandnes, and she also sells them at various fairs around Norway. In September, she will be part of the Norwegian food, crafts and culture festival Ryfest in Hjelmeland.

Web: www.livkeramikk.com Instagram: @liv.keramikk Pinterest: pin.it/2SGDzzw

Fallen Fruit [David Allen Burns & Austin Young] “Event Horizon Darkness is a Temporary Condition”, 2019.

Kunsthall 3,14 – Art creating connections across borders

Located in the heart of Bergen in a historic former bank building, Kunsthall 3,14 is a stalwart of the Norwegian art scene. Over the course of its 30+ year history, the non-profit art institution has gained recognition for its diverse programme and dedication to creating dialogue around art.

By Maria Vole | Photos: Kunsthall 3,14

Since the art institution’s opening in the 1980s, Kunsthall 3,14 has maintained a global scope, aiming to create connections between different places and cultures. It soon became known in the Norwegian art world as an innovative and ambitious art space with an international, multicultural focus.

Kunsthall 3,14 aims to showcase a diverse range of contemporary art from a wide range of artists – featuring both interesting emerging artists and well-established names. Here, the focus is on creating a discursive environment for the understanding and appreciation of different forms of contemporary art and the themes they raise. With its broad scope of contemporary art expression, audiences always get the chance to experience engaging and thought-provoking art during their visit to Kunsthall 3,14.

The power of art With a diverse and carefully-curated programme including exhibitions, presentations, talks and educational events, Kunsthall 3,14 is committed to spreading awareness and creating dialogue around art and artistic expression. With a strong background in the international art world, Malin Barth has served as Artistic Director at Kunsthall 3,14 for the past 15 years.

“The focus we’ve chosen to have at 3,14 and the type of art we choose to exhibit reflects the very important role art plays in our society because of the contribution it brings,” Barth says. “Artistic expression can create nuance and trigger new ideas that can lead to progression and new directions in the world.”

There’s no doubt that art is a powerful mode of expression and an important tool for analysing social and political issues on a local and global scale. While the art exhibited at Kunsthall 3,14 is wide-reaching in scope and themes, the projects are usually linked to the pressing issues of our time.

“Artistic expression guides the way toward important themes, whether that is the artist’s emotional life or the big issues that are relevant in society today,” Barth says. “There are incredible possibilities in art, such as the power to narrate.”

Earlier this year, Kunsthall 3,14 presented a duo-exhibition focused on the violent military coup in Myanmar in 2021. Featuring the work of Argentinian artist and human rights activist Marcelo Brodsky and a young female video artist from Myanmar whose identity is protected, the exhibition created solidarity across borders. From afar, Brodsky turned images from the demonstrations into a series of hand-coloured photographs with added text, while the video artist shed light on the emotional aspect of the conflict – showing audiences what it’s like living this reality.

Art has always had a close relationship with politics. Pointing out that creative expression is often suppressed by authoritarian governments around the world, Barth suggests that, until recently, we may have been taking this freedom for granted in the Western world.

“The freedom of expression art exists in and moves within is an important part of our democratic society,” Barth says. “When the going gets tough, artists and writers who are critical of the establishment are the first to be censored and subdued – it’s only then that we realise

Marcelo Brodsky “Stand forDemocracy”, 2022. Sunah Choi “Banco”, 2020.

the importance of free self-expression in society.”

Inspiring discourse At Kunsthall 3,14, the focus isn’t just on the artworks exhibited – the conversations surrounding art in general are a key element of the discourse the art institution aims to create. Known for open and collaborative art projects that are often interdisciplinary, Kunsthall 3,14 platforms discussions and talks that position the artworks within a greater social and cultural context. “We often have several projects going at once which supplement each other, with the aim of giving the audience a bigger picture,” Barth explains.

Championing a wide range of contemporary expressions, the art institution aims to create a wider dialogue and facilitate dynamic engagement between art and the audience. Kunsthall 3,14 often features speakers who don’t have a background in art, but who have thematic touchpoints in common with the artist – the aim being to open up the field of art by merging art with wider socio-political themes. “The art is the backdrop for a bigger conversation, and it’s interesting to see the meeting point between different fields of thought,” Barth says.

Kunsthall 3,14 has an exciting programme lined up for the rest of 2022, starting with the renowned Norwegian painter and multimedia artist Patrick Huse’s Fallow Land exhibition, opening on 21 May. The exhibition explores themes of nature, landscape and culture, as well as the relationship between nature and art – with the understanding that history, memory and meaning will always be embodied both in landscape and culture.

Web: www.kunsthall314.art Instagram: @kunsthall314 Facebook: Kunsthall3.14.ArtFoundation

Cristina Lucas “UnendingLightning”, 2015

Indrė Šerpytytė “(1944 – 1991) – Former NKVD – MVD – MGB –KGB Buildings”, 2021 LivingForgivingRemembering, 2021.

Yayoi Kusama’s Hymn of Life. Photo: Therese Thanh Tran

Contemporary art for all the senses

Tucked away on a picturesque green peninsula, a short drive from Oslo, Henie Onstad Kunstsenter is a sight for sore eyes. The art museum hosts an impressive rotation of five or six contemporary exhibitions every year.

By Celina Tran

Henie Onstad Kunstsenter’s history stretches back to 1968, when the famous Norwegian figure skater Sonja Henie (1912–1969) and her husband Niels Onstad (1909–1978) donated funds, the building, and their collection of contemporary art to the art centre. Since then, the collection has expanded, welcoming curious minds from all over the world.

Beautifully and strategically situated by the glittering water, the centre’s enormous grounds offer plenty of space to explore both the indoor exhibitions and the sculpture park outside. The architecture has captured international attention since its inauguration and today, the museum is one of Norway’s most celebrated buildings. “About 100,000 people visit the centre and its grounds every year,” says Caroline Ugelstad, chief curator at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. “One of our goals is to share art with everyone.”

Art across the ages “Our core values focus on being hospitable, forward-leaning and accessible to our audiences,” says Ugelstad. “We create every exhibition with the audience in mind, and we place importance on having an open door to the public.”

Henie Onstad has established itself as a leading art institution that communicates art to children and youths, offering everything from tours for babies, to a creative space in which young visitors can explore and express their own artistic abilities. The programme Unge Fotografer, meaning “young photographers”, promotes the photography of young people, allowing a new generation of artists to bloom. But their mission to spread the love for contemporary art is not limited to the young – they offer tours for people of all ages.

“Art is a form of expression that can draw out all sorts of emotions. It offers new ide-

Fernand Léger – Composition with Head, 1930. Photo: Henie Onstad Collection

as, comfort, and can be a tool for seeing things in a new way,” says Ugelstad. “To some, art centres are intimidating at first, but once you break past that, you’ll realise that art can truly be appreciated by all.”

Using music and a vast range of other artforms, from sculptures and paintings to new media, Henie Onstad Kunstsenter offers a cultural experience for all the senses. Exhibitions are changed regularly, so returning visitors are continuously guaranteed a completely new adventure. The art centre also features permanent art installations, such as Yayoi Kusama’s infinity room, Hymn of Life (2015). Whether you’re a passionate collector, or you’re simply looking to dip your toe in the world of art, Henie Onstad Kunstsenter has something for you.

The Lise Wilhelmsen Award, Guadalupe Maravilla, and Niki de Saint Phalle Every other year, as part of a collaboration between Henie Onstad Kunstsenter and the A. Wilhelmsen family, an international jury awards an artist the Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award. The award programme culminates in an exceptional exhibition at Henie Onstad, offering international audiences access to unique contemporary art in Norway, and Norwegians the opportunity to enjoy international artworks on their own soil.

The current exhibition, Sound Botánica, presents the work of Guadalupe Maravilla (b. 1976), a Brooklyn-based El Salvadorian artist. Maravilla has, along with the Henie Onstad team, created an audio-visual experience that provides a peek into his mind and life experiences.

Ugelstad describes Maravilla’s story as touching, and notes that this is reflected in the aesthetic power of his work. “Maravilla fled El Salvador at the age of eight and spent many years of his life as an undocumented immigrant,” explains Ugelstad. “There are thematic elements from his experience and childhood in his drawings and sculptures.”

She further explains that Maravilla’s work has relevance to the current situation in Ukraine and in other parts of the world. His work can be moving to those with and without similar experiences, touching the humanity in every one of us. The exhibition runs until 7 August, 2022.

“We show current artists, but we also think it’s important to show the history of contemporary art, which is why we’re excited to introduce the works of world-famous Niki de Saint Phalle in September of this year,” she says.

Niki de Saint Phalle was a groundbreaking artist who created large-scale artworks using bold colours and humour. A pioneering figure, she crossed the traditional boundaries of art, paving the way for contemporary and modern artists.

“Niki de Saint Phalle wasn’t only ground-breaking within art, but also as a woman. She broke out of the traditional gender roles in public, both for herself and other women,” says Ugelstad. “We want to further promote this incredible female icon whose art appeals to many different people.”

Niki de Saint Phalle’s retrospective will open at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter on 16 September, 2022.

What’s on?

Guadalupe Maravilla – Sound Botánica March 17 – August 7, 2022

Merz! Flux!Pop! From June 23

YoungPhotographers June 9 – September 19, 2022

New Additions to the Collection June 16 – August 7, 2022

AnExhilaratingExperience for a Young Mind June 19, 2020 – April 3, 2023

Niki de Saint Phalle September 16 – Februrary 12, 2023

Yayoi Kusama – Hymn of Life Permanent installation

The Sonja Henie Room Permanent

The Sculpture Garden Always open

Web: www.hok.no Instagram: @henieonstad Facebook: Henie Onstad Kunstsenter

Filipstadbananen. Photo: Øystein Thorvaldsen Guadalupe Maravilla – Sound Botánica. Photo: Christian Tunge

Glass art from Norway’s stunning west coast

Haugesund – a small town on Norway’s fjord-riddled west coast – is a well-known adventure-base, connected by sea and road to staggering mountains and national parks. The town itself is populated by low, colourful buildings and scored by waterways, with a lively downtown. In the centre of the hub is Formbar Glassverksted – a glass workshop and studio founded in 2017 by three artists: Julie Shirani Kausland, Eirin Bjørsland Hansen and Kirsten Vikingstad Storesund.

By Lena Hunter | Photos: Line Møllerhaug

“Formbar is special because most glassblowing workshops in Norway are run by individuals or couples. Ours is a collective but we each have our own style,” says Storesund. The trio’s work spans from lighting and tableware to applied artwork. Taking inspiration from the stunning local landscapes, the body and the technical aspects of glassblowing, Formbar is a trove of artful home objects.

The Frø Avocado Vase The best inventions are the simplest. Frø – an elegant range of vases for germinating avocado stones designed by Kausland – is one of those. It’s so singular, complete and obvious, it’s incredible nobody has designed one before.

“Julie’s work is fascinating because her starting point is to think ‘I need this’,” says Storesund. “I love growing plants, so I just made one to take home,” Kausland explains. “Then, my colleagues were like ‘I want one!’ – so I made one for them. That’s when we realised there was nothing like this on the market.”

The Knekk tableware series Where Frø introduces a new form with no superfluous details, Hansen’s Knekk series of jugs, whisky tumblers and drinking glasses does the opposite. The slender silhouette is playfully subverted with a ‘kink’ at the midpoint – as if it’s taking a momentary rest from standing straight.

“Knekk is one of Eirin’s. She loves to blend repeating forms with unexpected elements,” says Kausland. Knekk is so full of cheeky character it almost has a living presence – without sacrificing practicality. The jug can comfortably serve a whole table, while the buck in the glass forms a natural handhold.

Haugesund’s hidden gem Formbar has an on-site hot-shop and cold-shop, where the glass is blown, manipulated and ground. “So, you can see us make the product that you buy,” explains Kausland.

Every August, Formbar invites glass artists to the studio to host solo exhibitions. Over the past five years, it has become a meeting place for glass art in Norway – and another reason for explorers to visit Haugesund.

Web: www.formbar.no Instagram: @formbarglass Facebook: formbarglassverksted

Astrup Fearnley Museet from the outside. Photo: Einar Aslaksen

Synnøve Anker Aurdal. Photo: Victor Boullet

The magical artistry of colourful thread

This year’s summer exhibition at Astrup Fearnley Museet will feature significant works by Synnøve Anker Aurdal, one of Norway’s most prominent textile artists. From 21 May until 4 September, a wide variety of her unique works will be on display. In 1982, she represented Norway at the Venice Biennale, an international contemporary art exhibition.

By Grethe Norgård

Synnøve Anker Aurdal (1908-2000) combined the ancient craft of hand-weaving with the language of contemporary art, finding in the medium a way of commenting on modern life. ‘Tradition isn’t just something old, but also something new that continues to be created’, was one of the founding ideas of her practice. The exhibition shows the whole range of Anker Aurdal’s production, giving an exclusive insight into her groundbreaking art.

As relevant today as in the 1940s, Anker Aurdal had extensive knowledge of both Norwegian weaving tradition and current art discourse. She moved from traditional craftsmanship to visual art, where she became an imperative figure in the conception of textiles as an artform. She continuously introduced new elements of abstraction and experimentation to her work, using coloured thread as tool of expression – just as a painter uses a brush. Her vision for the artistic potential of the thread was radical, and made her one of the greatest advocates of textiles as an artform.

Beside rectangular tapestries, Anker Aurdal also created sculptural works. Her use of untraditional materials like copper threads, polyester, optical fiber, nylon, and metal chains often created surprising textures. The mix of matte wool and shiny metal produced a particular shimmer. In this way, she made the materiality a subject of its own and repeatedly pushed the boundaries of the tapestry medium.

Anker Aurdal grew up in Lillehammer and took early inspiration from the cultural environment around Maihaugen. After her first tapestry course with Karen and Ragnhild Prestgard, she continued at Statens Kvindelige Industriskole in Oslo (1932 to 1934). Her debut exhibition in 1941 was at Kunstnerforbundet, after which she created several public exhibits as well as Norway’s official gift to Iceland at their 1100-year jubilee in 1974. Astrup Fearnley Museet, founded in 1993 and designed by the world-renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano, is one of the Nordics’ foremost contemporary art museums. It administers the extensive Astrup Fearnley Collection, presenting works from the collection alongside new productions from international artists. The museum is beautifully located by the Oslo Fjord and consists of two buildings either side of a canal, combining art, nature and urbanity.

Installation View Astrup Fearnley Collection. Photo: Christian Øen

Web: www.afmuseet.no Instagram: @astrupfearnley

From furnace to flower vases

Tucked away in the region of Rogaland, Norway, a duo of artists is busy working with extremely high temperatures to shape the most special of materials: glass. Here at MingarWalker Glassblåseri, they seek to create functional elegance through the art of glassblowing.

By Celina Tran | Photos: MIngarWalker

Enter the studio of MingarWalker Glassblåseri and you’re immediately greeted by vibrant colours, perfectly imperfect shapes, and an impressive heat bursting from the furnace. These are the markers of the ancient technique that is glass blowing – a perfect balance between art and science. The skill of a glass maker or blower is unique – requiring knowledge and focus, as well as a quick hand and great care.

“Glass is a magical material,” says Line Mingar, one of the founders of the MingarWalker. “Most people know glass as something fragile and breakable, but when I work with it, it’s 1,120 degrees, molten and soft like honey.”

Most artists, whether they are painting a canvas or carving a face of marble, rely largely on the physical contact between themselves and the work. But a glassblower breathes life into their unique and beautiful art without touching it with bare hands until it is completed. At MingarWalker, visitors are invited to watch and participate in the glassmaking process to learn how the delicate pieces are formed, and to see how the artists put their entire soul into their work.

Handmade with love Line Mingar met her husband Benjamin Walker by the furnace in 1999. The burning passion for glassblowing brought them together, and the duo has been creating glass products ever since. In 2001, they purchased a building that, at the time, had a pigsty in it, and converted it into today’s MingarWalker shop and studio. While Line enjoys the rhythm and momentum of creating and finetuning the same pieces repeatedly, Benjamin prefers making a variety of pieces. The two opposites work both individually and together to produce the line of products for sale in the shop.

“The interesting thing about working with glass in the way we do is that nothing can be replicated,” says Mingar. “Everything is made by hand. Thus, every product – even if it belongs to a line of similar products – is unique.”

At MingarWalker, visitors are offered a vast range of experiences from making your own tumbler, glass pumpkin or Christmas baubles, to more in-depth introductory classes for those with a special interest in glassmaking. “The aim of the experiences is to give the visitors a chance to not only be a part of the process, but to also give life to their own creation. We hope this gives them a greater appreciation and connection with the products they bring home,” says Mingar.

Quality, locality and personality Mingar describes the process of designing and crafting glass at MingarWalker Glassblåseri as personal. “When we create a product, we always have its final owner and home in mind. We consider its functionality, how it looks and the hands that will handle it,” she says.

Mingar and Walker hope that the fruits of their labour tell the story of their craft and journey when they pass from their hands to those of their customers. It’s therefore important that every line, shape and colour is crafted carefully with intent and quality, ensuring that it will last. “It’s a running joke here now that we want the quality of our products to survive Armageddon, only to be found by some future archaeologists,” Mingar chuckles.

She says the family-run business takes pride in the high quality of its work, knowing that most returning customers come back out of interest in new or more products, and not due to broken or damaged goods.

Along with a great focus on the quality, functionality and elegance of the products, the small studio also emphasises locality and strives to limit over-production. They therefore make all their webshop purchases to order. “With how everything is nowadays, we think it’s especially important that our customers know that our products are made from scratch here, in this studio. It hasn’t travelled from some mass-production factory on the other side of the globe, but has in fact been crafted with love and personality by local hands.”

At the end of the day, MingarWalker Glassblåseri’s local nature creates a connection between artist and customer, and instils a love for ordinary objects that are often overlooked.

Web: www.mingarwalker.no Instagram: @mingarwalker_glassblaseri Facebook: MingarWalker Glassblåseri

Line and Benjamin.

Oselvar, © Peter Marron

A gallery built by a Dane and an Irishman, in Norway

On a small island in a fjord stretching from Bergen to the famous Hardanger Fjord, lies a family-run contemporary art gallery. Vibeke Harild from Denmark and Peter Marron from Ireland met at the Art academy in Bergen in 1992 and, after falling in love with the Norwegian nature, decided to settle down by the coast and start their own art gallery.

By Hanna Margrethe Enger | Photos: Vedholmen Gallery

For over 22 years, Harild and Marron have welcomed guests from far and wide into their traditional ‘naust’ (or boathouse) for a range of art experiences. With contemporary art, craft exhibitions and music events, they have created a dynamic art scene in the middle of the picturesque archipelago, 35 kilometres south of Bergen.

Meet the gallery’s artists The gallery exhibits contemporary art by 40 artists, covering everything from paintings and photography to ceramics, glass and sculpture. “A great deal of our artists have studied abroad,” explains Harild, “and therefore the gallery has an international profile. We select art that interests us the most, and then make contact. This includes several foreign artists. We are very proud of our 40 artists in all these categories.”

Vibeke Harild and Oddvar Torsheim at the gallery’s 20th anniversary exhibition in 2020. Harild continues: “It has been an absolute joy to experience renowned artists such as Bergen-based Erling Valtyrson, Line S. Hvoslef, Henriette Hagelien, Morten Holmefjord, Kjersti Olsen, Sarah Reed, Birgit Brühl, Elisa Helland-Hansen, Hanne Haukom, Tante Tuca and Kjell Johannessen. It has been an enlightening process working first as artists ourselves and then having to use that experience to realise and build exhibitions with others.”

The gallery’s 20-year anniversary in June 2020 was a highlight. “It featured art by Oddvar Torsheim, a contemporary artist,” Harild reminisces. “200 people came together to celebrate the event, with music by the opera-singers Annika Beinnes and Jorunn Torsheim. We had an opening speech by Einar Økland, one of Norway’s highly regarded authors.”

Oselvar and the gallery Just a few kilometres from the gallery lies a historic ‘oselvar’ workshop. An oselvar is a traditional wooden rowing

boat, which originates from Bjørnafjord municipality, where Vedholmen Gallery is located. It has clear references and similarities to traditional Viking boats, with a history going back over 2,000 years, and has become the official national boat of Norway.

“Peter was inspired by these boats and, after some research, tried to explain, using clay, the beauty and history of this boat type in porcelain,” Harild says. “The boats combine ceramic art and local history, and have been a brand-maker for the gallery.”

Summer exhibitions This summer, the gallery has three exhibitions lined up, with something to suit every art lover’s taste. Painter Eva Harr has already exhibited twice. Her third exhibition runs until 12 June. “She is an artist from the north of Norway – something which is reflected in her art, in choice of colour and motif,” says Harild. “She creates paintings and lithographic prints, which are inspired by where she grew up.”

A collective exhibition including most of the gallery’s 40 artists opens on 18 June. Their work will be shared alongside others’ such as Lars Elling (graphic art), Jan Erik Willgohs, Henriette Emilie Finne (painting), Reinhard Haverkamp (kinetic sculpture) and Rita Marhaug (graphic art, performance). A late-summer exhibition will feature fine-art painter Leif Nyland. His talent for painting scenes in the morning and evening light led Oslo art critic Tommy Olsson to compare Nyland with Gaugain.

Into the autumn with Ørnulf Opdahl, towards winter in Clear Glas. A solo exhibition of the work of Ørnulf Opdahl, who paints with oils and water-colours and produces graphic art will run from 1 October until 30 October. Opdahl has had a great number of exhibitions, in Norway and internationally, and has even created art-projects with Her Majesty Queen Sonja.

Vidar Koksvik and Kari Håkonsen, the glass-artist duo behind the moniker Klart Glass (Clear Glass), produce traditional craftwork as well as publicly commissioned artwork. They are slated to open the gallery’s final exhibition of 2022 on 3 November.

More than just art Vedholmen Gallery has a great selection of artists, but they also have a knack for spotting the next big thing in music, often booking artists who have gone on to achieve international success, like Aurora, Boy Pablo, Marius Neset, Andreas Grønli and Ida Maria. “The music side of things has grown organically with the passing years, to a point where we see it as an essential offering, which enhances the visitor experience,” Harild says. “The gallery grew out of a need for a place to exhibit our work on our own terms and has grown – with the help and cooperation of like-minded artists, crafts people, musicians, customers and sponsors – into a cultural hub.”

Cloud by Vidar Koksvik. Photo: Dag Fosse Evening sun by Leif Nyland.

Web: www.vedholmen-galleri.net Facebook: vedholmengalleri Instagram: @vedholmen_galleri

Etching by Ørnulf Opdahl.

Vedholmen Gallery.

Ditt nedsnødde blikk. Bevinget stein.

Hildur Bjørnsdottir. Photo: Knut Bjerke

Experiencing nature through art

Against a peaceful backdrop of sweet, earthly music and the sounds and scents of nature, a new masterpiece is being brought to fruition. Norway-based Hildur Bjørnsdottir uses paint and brushes to create a nature experience through art.

By Celina Tran | Photos: Tor Simen Ulstein and Knut Bjerke

Born in Iceland, where the mountains sing and lights dance across the night sky, the artist Hildur Bjørnsdottir has always had an affinity for the outdoors. On a childhood visit to the beach, she remembers picking up a rock that had spoken to her. Feeling its salty sting against her tongue, she felt she was being pulled into the embrace of nature – something she seeks to express through her art today. “For me, to be human is to feel one with nature,” Bjørnsdottir says. “Growing up in Iceland, nature has always been a source of inspiration.”

At just 14, gifted with an artist’s eye and talent, Bjørnsdottir exhibited a work for the first time at a school gallery, where it hangs to this day. Since, she has exhibited several projects and installations, as well as teaching art freelance. Believing that there’s always more to learn, she enrolled at an art school in Iceland, which eventually took her to Norway. Today, she bridges the Norwegian and Icelandic art communities.

In 2020, Bjørnsdottir was asked to host some workshops and classes as an artist in residence in Steigen. But, just as she arrived, the world was hurled into an unforeseeable state of isolation, quarantine and COVID-19. Society ground to a halt, and so too did her plans. Faced with staying in Steigen and working in her large studio or going home, Bjørnsdottir chose to stay and used the situation to create her best piece to date.

“During that time, the only people I spoke to were the cashiers at the local Coop, so I often found myself by the water, watching the ocean embrace the kelp in a hypnotic and inspiring dance,” she explains. “I suppose the water was at many points my only companion.”

Every day, after visiting the ocean, Bjørnsdottir returned to the studio and spilled her emotions onto a seven-metre-long scroll. After countless hours in the company of herself, her memories and her trusted paintbrushes, Fjærlett Flørt was born. It is the piece she is most proud of to this day.

Inspired by the notion that home is always in her heart, Bjørnsdottir has brought her love for the outdoors out of Iceland, and continues to find inspiration in nature everywhere.

Web: www.hildurb.no Instagram: @hildurbjornsdottirart Facebook: Hildur Bjørnsdottir

Reviving the traditional trade of handmade Norwegian leather goods

During the day, she has a regular job. But, as night falls, she fetches her tools and engages in an entirely different trade.

By Eva-Kristin U. Pedersen | Photos: Vulcan Norway

“I do everything from design and production to marketing, sales and accounting,” says Marianne Brøvik, the wonder-woman behind Vulcan Norway. ‘Vulcan’ is the Roman god of the smiths and forge and, given the considerable feat of Brøvik’s work, the support of a Roman god might just come in handy.

When she sits down of an evening, tools in hand, Brøvik becomes one of Norway’s rare producers of high-quality, handmade leather goods. Amongst other things, she designs and crafts items like wallets, card holders and passport-covers in the finest leather, capable of lasting a lifetime.

A welcome, creative change “It’s a very welcome change from what I do during the day, when I work with computers and technology,” Brøvik explains. Her eyes light up as she talks about her craft; it’s clear that she’s inspired by the creativity of leatherworking. Brøvik is self-taught. Her passion started when she saw an Instagram post of someone making leather goods, and decided to seek out all the tutorials available, to sit down and experiment. Today, a year and a half later, Vulcan is an established brand.

Italian leather, Scandinavian design All Vulcan products are made with the finest, hand-tanned Italian leather. Brøvik assures that the quality is such that her products will actually last for the rest of your life – whether they be wallets, cardholders or other leather items. While the leather is Italian, the design is Brøvik’s own.

“Mine is a typical Scandinavian design, minimalistic, functional and made to last,” she emphasises. The creative process behind each item is lengthy. Brøvik explains that she starts with an idea, then a drawing, then makes a paper version of the design. If successful, she continues with digital drawings before sitting down to produce the leather item itself. Most of her products are sold through the company’s Instagram-based online shop, while a new webpage is in the works.

Looking ahead, Brøvik intends to keep expanding, and also hopes to inspire other Norwegians to take up the traditional craft – just as she was inspired to create Vulcan.

Web: www.vulcannorway.com Instagram: @vulcannorway