Gallery of the Month, Norway
Where modern meets contemporary Trondheim is experiencing an art revival. Set in idyllic surroundings within an old 1800s barn, Gallery Lilje is at the forefront of the city’s new cultural momentum, combining modern Scandinavian masterpieces with emerging local talents. By Eva-Kristin U. Pedersen
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The collection is composed mostly of modern Scandinavian masterpieces that Riis inherited from his parents, who for decades ran a very influential gallery in Oslo. It features big names in Scandinavian art like Jakob Weidemann and even Edvard Munch.
Photos: Rikke Lilje
Not everybody knows, but Trondheim, Norway’s fourth largest city, is one of the most important ones in artistic terms. Trondheim and surrounding areas are home to several of the country’s most renowned and best-selling artists, including the late Håkon Bleken, Jens Johannessen, Håkon Gullvåg and others.
The collection and the gallery immediately drew attention in the local area, but Riis wanted to do more than that. While parts of the original collection are exhibited every once in a while, most of the activity at Galleri Lilje is now commercial and focussed on contemporary art.
An increasing number of private actors are now building on Trondheim’s artistic tradition and heritage, to create new galleries and museums where a wider audience can enjoy and engage with art in different forms. One of the pillars of this artistic revival is Gallery Lilje.
“Quality is the most important prerequisite, but I try to use my position to promote young and upcoming artists, especially local artists. You don’t have to be an established artist to exhibit here,” gallerist Riis underlines.
Striking masterpieces in an idyllic setting Set in an old barn from the 1800s in idyllic surroundings at Byåsen, a short tram ride from downtown Trondheim, Gallery Lilje first opened some fifteen years ago, when Frithjof Riis, the owner, decided to 70
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Issue 180
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July 2025
make his private art collection available to the public.
Galleri Lilje is at the forefront of Trondheim’s artistic revival.
Currently on display is the exhibition Mitt Arboret, featuring Knut Sveen, a graphic artist from Trondheim.