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Norway’s Buzzing Art Scene
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.
contact. This includes several foreign artists. We are very proud of our 40 artists in all these categories.”
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.”
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 40 |
Issue 143
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June 2022
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.”
Oselvar and the gallery Vibeke Harild and Oddvar Torsheim at the gallery’s 20th anniversary exhibition in 2020.
Just a few kilometres from the gallery lies a historic ‘oselvar’ workshop. An oselvar is a traditional wooden rowing
