Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Design Special – Norwegian Craft and Art
Modern gallery in idyllic surroundings
By Synne Johnsson
After painting for 50 years, Einar Furre thought it was time to open a gallery. At a farm surrounded by tall, Arctic mountains, with a spectacular view over the fjord, he now exhibits his art at Galleri Furre in Saltstraumen, northern Norway. It was only when Furre realised that he had way too many paintings lying around, that he decided to open up a gallery to showcase and sell his art. What makes it all so impressive is that he is entirely self-taught. “I don’t have a fine-art education; I have just taught myself, but I have many years of experience,” he smiles. “I think it all started with a teacher showing a slideshow of Edward Munch’s paintings. The teacher was very into art, and he was the one who got me hooked too.” The gallery is located at an idyllic farm, Straum Gård at Straumøya, not too far from Bodø. Furre paints on location at the gallery, and visitors can find anything from drawings to watercolour paintings. It is
also possible to buy his work online in the artist’s own web shop. “There’s a lot of variation in both techniques and motifs. My biggest inspiration is people, so there are a lot of paintings of different people; however, there is something for every taste,” promises Furre. Among his paintings, you can find anything from black and white to bright colours, from abstract to detailed motifs, from landscapes to people. However, he does not want to say anything too specific about the paintings. “I don’t feel the need to speak about them. They speak for themselves, I think – it’s up to the viewer how they see it,” he smiles.
Web: www.efurre.carbonmade.com Facebook: einarfurre
Beauty and intention — meaningful jewellery from Norway When optometrist Camilla Furuvald went on maternity leave, she decided to pick up on her passion for creating jewellery. Having always been creative, and with a knack for handmade crafts, she combined her hobby with her love and fascination for crystals and beads. The result is exquisite bracelets, necklaces and pendants with a deeper meaning. “Everything in my jewellery box has a meaning,” she says, “whether they are heirlooms, gifts or memories. I wanted to use that in my jewellery making, and create something that is not only beautiful to look at and that you’ll want to wear, but that also has a deeper personal connection.” Mala yoga jewellery was the perfect way to combine these things. Mala beads are used by Buddhists and Hindus as a helpful tool in prayers or meditation, each bead turned between your fingers to keep track of mantras or intentions repeated over and over. But, as Furuvald points out, a mala is for everybody, whether used as a tool, a decorative piece of jewellery or merely a
comforting artefact to keep close. It can be a reminder of an intention chosen by yourself, or used to receive healing vibrations from the crystals. What started out merely as a hobby has grown exponentially, and she is now one of the leading producers of yoga and mala jewellery in Norway.
By Alyssa Nilsen | Photos: Bergamott.
Camilla Furuvald ships her Bergamott jewellery nationwide.
Web: www.bergamott.no Facebook: bergamott.no Instagram: @bergamottno
Bergamott’s mala jewellery combines beauty with intention.
Issue 119 | December 2018 | 29