1. art and entertainment
2. shows and events
3. exhibition

Art
in vesterålen
2015/2016
A GUIDE
Currents of energy
This folder guides you to quality art and acquaints you with
the artists in Vesterålen. Most of the exhibitions are associated
with the summer months, but most of the information applies
for all of the year. Cultural Cooperation in Vesterålen bids you
welcome to a broad variety of art experiences!
Vesterålen is a strip of islands along the northwest coastline.
Nowhere else in the world does the Gulf Stream snuggle in
closer to the shoreline than here. It was for that reason that
the Gulf Stream was chosen as a theme and metaphor when
the Vesterålen islanders celebrated the new millennium. The
celebration is still going on!
The Gulf Stream brings with it warm blue currents, and
provides Vesterålen’s seascape and landscape with an
energy that inspires artists of many kinds. They may be
visiting guests or artists from the outside world who have
chosen to live and work here, but they also include
Vesterålen residents who have lived here for generations.
Much of the art created in Vesterålen may be experienced
on a trip through the six municipalities, including
Lødingen. This little folder is designed to be your guide
to Vesterålen art. We present the artists, studios,
sculptures, installations and galleries that display what
the artists have created, as well as works in progress.
We also focus on some of the collaborative projects,
many of which are the result of the area’s collective
tribute to the Gulf Stream.
Cover photo: «Gran x&o» Technique: Photographic detail
from the installation by artist Christian Skagen.
2
Necklace «Blomst» by Dick Monshouwer.
Art in Vesterålen
is going digital
Since 2002, Cultural Collaboration in Vesterålen
has published this pamphlet annually. The development of digital technology has encouraged
us to consider new ways by which to make the
public aware of the art Vesterålen has to offer.
Consequently, we are posting a new homepage:
www.kunstivesteralen.no
On this website, the public will find the same information as printed in the pamphlet, with links
to web pages for the artists and their galleries.
Digitalization of this information will permit us
to make changes and keep data updated during
the year. In addition, digitalization will provide
us with the opportunity to give directions to the
venues where art can be experienced. The homepage is adapted to new platforms such as the
mobile telephone.
To permit us to use the basic content year after
year, we have chosen to exclude specific information about exhibitions and opening hours from
this year’s guide. If you are looking for artists
and galleries along with opening hours, you will
find a list of these under «Artists and galleries in
Vesterålen» at www.kunstivesteralen.no.
In the future, we hope even more visitors will
use the digital path to art experiences in Vesterålen.
4
Artists
in Vesterålen,
their galleries
and workshops
The Vesterålen artists who do not have regular
opening hours can be contacted for an
appointment. One needs to take into account
that they may not always be available.
(Subject to changes)
Mika Gaunitz Renard
«Organisk objekt»
(1) BENT AUNE
Fr. Nansens gt. 37, Andenes.
Tel: 951 12 856
E-mail: bent-h-a@online.no
Art medium: Graphics, paintings.
Exhibitions: «Verkstedet» Studio.
The artist can be contacted for an appointment.
Educated at the Academy of Art, Bergen.
Participated in a number of juried exhibitions
at home and abroad. Several public acquisitions. Member of Norwegian Visual Artists
(NBK) and NNBK.
(2) MYRIAM BORST
Siri Tollefsen
«Reisen»
Myriam exhibits her art at Galleriet Parallelle
Univers. Education from the Willem de Kooining. Academy in Rotterdam. Solo exhibitions
and group exhibitions Decoration commissions.
Member NBK.
Ingunn J. M. Reinsnes
«Island»
5
Galleriet Parallelle Univers
Storskjervøya, access by boat from Stokmarknes.
Tel: 902 21 352
E-mail: myriam.borst@gmail.com
Web page: www.myriamborst.com
Art medium: Pictorial art.
Exhibitions: The artist can be contacted
for an appointment.
Visitors can be picked up by boat, NOK 200 per
person, by advance reservation via telephone.
(3) HILDE SKJØNBERG HANSEN
AND ROBERT TANGRAND
Hilde and Robert work and exhibit their art at
the glass-blowing workshop Blås idé.
Hilde was educated at BA Glass University of
Wolverhampton, England.
Robert has lengthy experience as a glassblower.
Blås idé
T. Liens vei 3, Myre
Tel: 415 50 116
E-mail: skjonberg@hotmail.com
Facebook: Blås idé.
Art medium: Glass art
Opening hours: See Facebook.
Open daily during a period of the summer.
Otherwise open by appointment year-round.
The artists reside on the premises.
(4) ANJA VERONICA HANSSEN
6
Reinsnes
Tel: 905 12 907
E-mail: hoanjaveronic@gmail.com
Art medium: Textile artist.
The artist can be contacted for an appointment.
Educated at the Academy of Art, Bergen,
textile department. Has participated in exhibitions in Norway and abroad.
(5) RAGNHILD ADELHEID HOLTEN Ragnhild exhibits her art at Atelier
Holten Skagen together with Christian Skagen.
Education from Northbrook College, Sussex
Education in woodworking and TV/film in
Norway. Solo and group exhibitions in Norway
and other countries.
Member NBK.
Atelier Holten Skagen
Ivar Bergmosgt. 6, Stokmarknes
- located next to the hospital
Tel: 481 91 132 (Ragnhild)/
450 57 944 (Christian)
E-mail: adholten@gmail.com/
papirarbeider@gmail.com
Web page: www.adholten.no and www.cskagen.no
Facebook: Atelier Holten Skagen
Art medium: painting, woodworking,
drawing and installation.
Exhibitions: Works of several techniques.
Opening hours: Open year round by telephone
appointment. The artists reside on the premises.
(6) ANN-HELENE IVERSEN
Slalomveien 16, Sortland
Tel: 905 62 276
E-mail: lene.iversen1@gmail.com
Art medium: Glass art, installation, woodwork,
graphics and painting.
The artist can be contacted for an appointment.
Education from the University College of Akershus, art training from Italy and Denmark as well.
Solo and group exhibitions in Norway and other
countries.
Gunn Vottestad
«Kysthus»
Silvia Rehnlund
«Kari»
Ragnhild A. Holten
«Blå»
7
(7) TOVE HOV JACOBSEN
Tove exhibits her art at Lihallen Kulturgård.
Education from Egen Art school of painting, Oslo
and studies in France. Solo exhibitions all over
Norway, group exhibitions. Several decoration
commissions, including Sortland Hotell.
Member NBK.
Lihallen Kulturgård Lihallveien 37, Sigerfjord
Tel: 951 78 797
E-mail: post@lihallen.no
Web page: www.lihallen.no
Art medium: Painting and graphics.
Exhibitions: Tove Hov Jacobsen.
Opening hours: See home page.
Open daily during a period of the summer
(closed Mon. and Tues.).
Otherwise open by appointment year-round.
The artist resides on the premises.
(8) SIV JOHANSEN
Siv exhibits her art at Galleri Uvær.
Education from Mølla School of Art and University College of Oslo, plus courses in glass fusing.
Solo exhibitions and group exhibitions.
8
Galleri Uvær
Teigan, about 13 km west of Stokmarknes.
Tel: 917 20 382
E-mail: galleri@uver.no
Web page: www.uver.no
Exhibitions: Alternating exhibitions.
Art medium: Glass and visual art.
Opening hours: See home page.
Open daily during a period of summer.
Otherwise open Sundays and by appointment.
(9) KAREL KOTZ
Gåsbøl, Sortland.
Tel: 905 70 592
E-mail: karelkotz@gmail.com
Facebook: kotz´bone-art
Art medium: Collage, shamanistic style, works
with skulls, bones, driftwood, etc.
Viewings: Studio in Gåsbøl and studio in Nyksund.
The artist can be contacted for an appointment. Self-taught artist from the Netherlands. Solo and group exhibitions in Norway
and other countries.
(10)INGRID LARSSEN
Siri Tollefsen
«Titing»
Hadsel, Stokmarknes
Tel: 991 57 544
E-mail: ingridlarssen62@gmail.com
Web page: www.ingridlarssen.no
Art medium: Arts and crafts design, jewellery
and objects in silk or wool. The artist can be
contacted for an appointment.
Educated at National College of Art and Design
and the Rietveld Academy, Amsterdam.
A number of solo and group exhibitions in
Norway and other countries. Member NK.
(11) IVAR MALLAUG
Kirsten Trasti
«Bror og søster»
Ivar Mallaug works and exhibits his art at his
ceramics sales outlet.
Workshop sales outlet, ceramics
Risev. 253, Sortland.
Tel: 905 87 696
E-mail: ivar.mallaug@vkbb.no
Art medium: Ceramics. Applied crafts and
unique items in stone and porcelain.
Exhibitions: Workshop and sales outlet.
Opening hours: Open daily 10–22, year-round.
The artist resides on the premises.
Ingrid Larssen
«Anheng»
9
(12)DICK MONSHOUWER
Dick Monshouwer exhibits his art at
Galleri Dick Monshouwer
Educated at Vakschool Schoonhoven,
Workshop residency in Kautokeino. solo and
group exhibitions in Norway and other countries.
Member NK.
Galleri Dick Monshouwer
Just across from the coastal express pier,
Risøyhamn.
Tel: 476 50 058
E-mail: galleri@artdickmonshouwer.com
Web page: www.dickmonshouwer.com
Exhibitions: Jewellery, paintings.
Opening hours: Open year round by telephone
appointment.
(13)EVA CHARLOTTE NILSEN
Torget 16, Sortland
Tel: 913 59 496
E-mail: rampelys@online.no
Web page: www.rampelys.no
Art medium: Photography and film
The artist can be contacted for an appointment.
Education as a film photographer.
Experience as a producer and director of films.
Member of the Norwegian Film Association.
10
(14)SILVIA REHNLUND Silvia exhibits her art at Smia Silvia.
Advanced craft certificate as a goldsmith from
Plus-skolen in Fredrikstad.
Smia Silvia
Kalsnes, Stokmarknes.
Tel: 911 68 092
E-mail: silviarehnlund@gmail.com
Web page: http://www.rehnlund.com/silvia
Art medium: Handmade jewellery in
noble metals.
Exhibitions: Silvia Rehnlund’s jewellery.
Silvia also accepts special orders and can
repair/clean jewellery.
Opening hours: Open year-round by telephone
appointment.
The artist resides on the premises.
Anja Veronica Hansen
«Rød strek»
(15)INGUNN MOEN REINSNES
Lamarkveien 54, Sortland
Tel: 76 30 35 85/ 413 50 893
E-mail:ingunnjmr@hotmail.com
Web page: http://www.123hjemmeside.no/
reinsnes
Art medium: Drawing.
The artist can be contacted for an appointment.
Education from the Oslo School of Drawing and
Painting.
Has participated in a number of juried group
and solo exhibitions.
Recipient of several art stipends.
Public decoration commissions.
Member NBK and LNM and SDS
Christian Skagen
«Quad av nr. 366»
Elin Rindahl Steiro
«Mellom husan»
11
(16) MIKA GAUNITZ RENARD
Lamarkveien 54, Sortland
Tel: 76 30 35 85
E-mail: carlgunnar@live.se
Art medium: Sculpture.
The artist can be contacted for an appointment.
Mika has extensive coursework in ceramics,
drawing, painting and sculpture. Participated in
several exhibitions.
(17)CHRISTIAN SKAGEN
Christian exhibits his art at Atelier Holten Skagen together with Ragnhild Adelheid Holten.
Education from Granum Art School, Kabelvåg Art
School and NTNU. Public decoration commissions.
Member of the Association of Norwegian Drawers
and NBK.
Atelier Holten Skagen Ivar Bergmosgt. 6, Stokmarknes
6, Stokmarknes- located next to the hospital
Tel: 481 91 132 (Ragnhild)/450 57 944 (Christian).
E-post: adholten@gmail.com/
papirarbeider@gmail.com
Web page: www.adholten.no and www.cskagen.no
Facebook: Atelier Holten Skagen
Art medium: painting, woodworking, drawing and
installation.
Exhibitions: Works in several techniques.
Opening hours: Open year round by telephone appointment. The artists reside on the premises.
(18)ESPEN SKJØNHAUG
Nykvåg, Bø i Vesterålen
Tel: 918 71 574
E-mail: espskj@gmail.com
Web page: www.espenskjonhaug.com
Art medium: Painting, photography.
12
The artist can be contacted for an appointment.
Training from Strykejernet tegne- og maleskole
as well as academic education in the arts
and pedagogy.
(19)ELIN RlNDAHL STEIRO
The Artists’ Residence, Sortland
Tel: 952 16 900
E-post: elin.rindahl.steiro@gmail.com
Web page: www.elinrindahlsteiro.no
Drawing, painting, graphics water colours.
Exhibitions: Elin has her studio and exhibitions in the Artists’ Residence.
Opening hours: Open year round by telephone
appointment. Open every Saturday 12-15
Educated at the Interdisciplinary Institute in
Bærum, University College of Tromsø and advanced studies in Fine Arts and Graphics, USA.
Has had solo and collective exhibitions.
Bent Aune
«Havørn» (utsnitt)
(20)SIGRID SZETU
Atelier 8439 Nyksund
Tel: 920 91 493
E-mail sigridszetu@gmail.com
Art medium: Painting and collage.
Exhibitions: Atelier 8439 Nyksund
The artist can be contacted for an appointment.
She also has an exhibition at
Ekspedisjonen in Nyksund.
Education from Camberwell School of Art.
Solo exhibitions in more than 20 countries,
participated in a number of juried and group
exhibitions. Many public decoration commissions.
Member NBK and TF.
Tove Hov Jacobsen
«Måneskinnsdans»
Siv Johansen
«Skog»
13
(21)GUNNAR TOLLEFSEN Gunnar exhibits his art at Atelier Nøss.
Education from the Academy of Fine Art, Oslo.
Member of Norwegian Visual Artists (NBK) and
LNM.
Atelier Nøss
Nøss
Tel: 415 59 078
E-mail: post@siri_tollefsen@hotmail.com
Homepage: www.atelier-noss.com
Art medium: Painting, sculpture, graphics,
drawing, textile, photography, weaving and
literature.
Exhibitions: Gunnar Tollefsen, Siri Tollefsen,
Espen Tollefsen, Åse Tollefsen and
Heidi Marie Kriznik.
Opening hours: See home page. Open daily
during the summer (closed Mondays).
Otherwise open by appointment year-round.
(22)SIRI TOLLEFSEN
Siri exhibits her art at Atelier Nøss.
Educated at the Academy of Art, Bergen. and
Academy of Art, Oslo.Participated in a number of
juried exhibitions. Member NK.
14
Atelier Nøss Nøss
Tel: 415 59 078
E-mail: post@siri_tollefsen@hotmail.com
Homepage: www.atelier-noss.com and
www.siritollefsen.no
Art medium: Paintings, sculpture, graphics,
drawings, textile, photography, woven art and
literature.
Exhibitions: Gunnar Tollefsen, Siri Tollefsen,
Espen Tollefsen, Åse Tollefsen and
Heidi Marie Kriznik.
Opening hours: See home page. Open daily
during the summer (closed Mondays).
Otherwise open by appointment year-round.
Ingrid Larsen
«Anheng»
(23)KIRSTEN A. J. PETERSEN TRASTI Studio 3rd storey Jernvaregården, Melbu
Tel: 454 99 418
E-mail: kirsten.trasti@trollfjord.no
Art medium: Painting and installation art.
The artist can be contacted for an appointment.
Art education from KV’s Konstskole in Gothenburg and Olav Mosebekk School of Art in Oslo.
Has had a number of solo exhibitions.
Myriam Borst
«Kosmos»
(24)GUNN VOTTESTAD
Nyksund
Tel: 951 66 304
E-mail: ghvotte@online.no
Homepage: www.gunnvottestad.no
Art medium: Painting and lithographs.
Ring to make an appointment.
Educated at the Oslo School of Drawing and
Painting, and has completed a number of courses in drawing and painting. Has had a number
of solo exhibitions and has participated in a
number of group exhibitions.
Espen Sjønhaug
«Publikum V. Avventende»
15
Other galleries and
exhibitions
Open galleries or sales outlets operated by Vesterålen artists are presented in the first section of
the folder, under «Artists».
(Subject to changes)
(25)ARIBLÅ, KULTURFABRIKKEN
Strandgata 1, Sortland.
Tel: 76 10 91 00
E-mail: postmottak@kulturfabrikkensortland.no
Web page: www.kulturfabrikkensortland.no
Exhibitions: alternating exhibitions throughout
the year.
Opening hours: See home page. Open year round.
(26)FELLESLAGERET [SHARED STORAGE]
P. A. Kvaalsgate 5, Melbu
Tel: 993 71 467
E-mail epost@nordland-akademi.no
Web page: www.sommermelbu.no
Art medium: Arts and crafts, paintings,
installations etc.
Exhibitions: Sales exhibition featuring
several artists.
Opening hours: See home page. Open during
Summer Melbu.
16
(27)GALLERI APOTHEKET
Apothekergården, Stokmarknes.
Tel: 918 88 466
E-mail: post@hadselkunstforening.no
Homepage: www.hadselkunstforening.no
Exhibitions: 4–5 exhibitions annually.
Exhibitors: Exhibitions featuring various artists.
Opening hours: See home page. Open daily
during the summer.
For the remainder of the year, the venue is
open for featured exhibitions.
Mika Gaunitz Renard
«Organisk objekt 2»
(28)GALLERI ARKTISKE ÅRSTIDER
– FINVÅG
Finvåg, Nærøya Øksnes Vestbygd
Tel: 909 45 727
E-mail: post@finvag.no
Homepage: www.finvag.no
Exhibitions: Alternating exhibitions.
Opening hours: See home page.
Open daily during the summer.
(29)GALLERI FARGEKLATTEN
Sjøgata 36, Andenes
Tel: 977 60 020
E-mail: fargeklatten1@gmail.com
Web page: www.fargeklatten.no
Alternating exhibitions throughout the year.
Open year round. Opening hours:
1 June – 31 August
12–18 (closed Sundays). 1 Sept. – 31. May
12–16 (closed Sundays). Group reservations
may be made by telephone or e-mail.
Gunnar Tollefsen
«Rød skulptur»
Karel Kotz
«In death reborn»
17
(30)GALLERI HILDRELAND
Straume
Tel: 957 26 011
E-mail: hildreland@gmail.com
Web page: www.gallerihildreland.com
Facebook: Galleri Hildreland
Art medium: Visual art, art and crafts design.
Exhibitions: Alternating exhibitions.
Exhibitors: Exhibitions featuring various artists.
Opening hours: See home page.
Open daily during a period of the summer.
Otherwise open by appointment year-round.
(31)GALLERI JENNESTAD
Jennestad Trading Station.
Tel: 900 11 040
E-mail relating to
Web page: www.jennestad.no
Art medium: graphics, oil paintings, sculpture.
Opening hours: See home page.
Open daily during a period of the summer.
Otherwise open by appointment year-round.
Sculpture garden adjoining the main building.
(32)GALLERI TINDEN
Tinden, Øksnes Vestbygd.
Tel: 76 13 28 56
E-mail: post@tinden.no
Web page: www.tinden.oksnes.no
Art medium: Graphics.
Opening hours: See home page.
Open daily during a period of the summer.
Otherwise open by appointment year-round.
18
(33)GALLERI VESTERÅLEN
Strandgata 33, Sortland.
Tel: 76 12 52 00
E-mail: postmaster@galleri-vesteraalen.no
Homepage: www.galleri-vesteraalen.no
Art medium: Oils, water colours, graphics.
Exhibitions: Alternating exhibitions by
well-known artists.
Open year round Mon.–Fri. 10–15.30
Saturdays 10-15, (closed Sundays).
Anne-Helene Iversen
«Girasóle»
(34)COASTAL STEAMER TERMINAL
Opening hrs: 09-15 and 00-03.30
69.7º N. Decoration by Oili Puolitaival
Inside the terminal there are two texts that are
part of the project Writings on a Field of Blue.
(35)THE ARTISTS’ RESIDENCE Gårdsaleen, Sortland.
The Art group Storm is based in the
Artists’ Residence.
Tel: 952 16 900
(contact Elin Rindahl Steiro)
E-mail: kunstnergruppa.storm@gmail.com
Facebook: Kunstnergruppa Storm
Art medium: Painting, water colours, objects,
photography, glass art, ceramics.
Gallery and workshops for artists.
Alternating exhibitions throughout the year.
Opening hours: Open every Saturday 12-15
throughout the year.
Dick Monshouwer
«Maleri på lerret»
Tove Hov Jacobsen
«Geiterams»
19
(36)MELBO MANOR
Maren Fredriksens Alle 1, Melbu
Tel: 76 15 40 00
E-mail: vesteraalsmuseet@museumnord.no
Web page: www.museumnord.no/vestmus
Exhibitions: Gunnar Berg’s murals and multimedia
presentation (photos) relating the history of the
building. Guided tours available during opening
hours.
Opening hours: See home page. Open daily
during the summer.
(37)NYKSUND ART GALLERY
«The Old Bakery» in Nyksund
Tel: 993 81 277
E-mail: post@nyksundretreat.com
Homepage: www.nyksundretreat.com
Exhibitions: Alternating exhibitions
by wellknown artists.
Opening hours: See home page. Open daily
during the summer. Otherwise open by
appointment year-round.
(38)RØDGÅRDEN
Strandgata, Melbu.
Tel: 938 16 012
E-mail: post@hadselkunstforening.no
Homepage: www.hadselkunstforening.no
Summer exhibition featuring several artists.
Opening hours: See home page. Open during
Summer Melbu.
20
(39)SAABYE’S LIBRARY/HAMSUN FOYER
Sortland Hotell, reception floor and lower
ground floor. Bust of author
Lars Saabye Christensen and of Knut Hamsun.
Sculpture by artist Nico Widerberg of the
protagonist of the novel Herman.
(40)ØYMUSEET [ISLAND MUSEUM]
Artscape Nordland
Raffael Rheinsberg. Collection of objects
the artist found on the shores of Andøya
during August 1992.
Exhibition in a garage next to the
Polar Museum.
Homepage: www.museumnord.no/sortland
Opening hours: See home page. Open daily
during the summer (enquire at the
Polar Museum at Andenes).
Blås Idé
«Hau»
Eva Charlotte Nilsen
«Vi ser deg»
Ivar Mallaug
«Autre»
21
Art takes place
Artscape Nordland is an internationally renowned art
project. Six of the 33 sculptures are located in
Vesterålen – which represents Artscape Nordland’s
northernmost border. «Art takes place» is a motto for
Artscape Nordland. In Vesterålen, art takes place along
the sea. All of the sculptures here are placed directly on
the seashore or are inspired by maritime themes.
In Lødingen, one finds the 37-tonne «Eye in Stone»,
at Sortland «The Eye on the Sea». In Bø, “The Man
from the Sea” towers in tribute to the ocean, and in
Øksnes, the artist located the lamp-like sculptures
«After-images» in the former fishing village of
Nyksund and in the centre of modern Myre.
In Hadsel, the sculpture «Days and Nights» is
installed across the inlet from the old coastal
express Finnmarken, and at Andenes, «Island
Museum» comprises a collection of articles found
along the shoreline.
Maaretta Jaukkuri has expressed the rationale for
Artscape Nordland «The most important reason
for these sculptures being placed in Nordland’s
landscape is that it was here that they originated
– in the meeting between the landscape itself
and the artist. And it is in the corresponding
encounters between the landscape, the
sculpture and the beholder that meaning is
recognized and recreated. It is in the moment
that art occurs.»
22
40
ANDØY:
«Øymuseet» (Island Museum) Rafael Rheinsberg
41
HADSEL:
«Dager og netter»
(Days and Nights) Sarkis
43
42
ØKSNES:
«Etterbilder» (After Images)
Inghild Karlsen
SORTLAND:
«Havsøye» (Eye on the Sea) Sigurdur
Gudmundsson
45
44
LØDINGEN:
«Øye i stein» (Eye in Stone) Anish Kapoor
BØ:
«Mannen fra havet»
(The Man from the Sea)
Kjell Erik Killi Olsen
Electrical transformer sheds
become power art
Six grey, drab and modest transformer sheds in the six
Vesterålen municipalities have been transformed into
powerful works of art. The project was initiated by
Vesterålen Cultural Committee in collaboration with,
and jointly financed by Andøy Energi, Hålogaland Kraft,
Trollfjord Kraft, Vesterålskraft Nett, the municipalities of
Andøy, Bø, Hadsel, Lødingen, Sortland and Øksnes, as well
as Nordland County Administration.
Transformer art is a part of Vesterålen Cultural
Committee’s cultural lift from 2000 to 2010 and builds
on the ideas from the millennium observances. But why
transformer art? Art supervisor Ingrid Larssen explains:
– We have previously completed something similar
throught eh RÆK project in collaboration with the art
school in Andenes. The transformer art was very well
received here, and we wanted to extend the project.
The transformer sheds practically screamed out for
artistic decoration; they were solid cubes waiting for
an artist’s touch.
Five artists closely associated with Vesterålen were
each commissioned to complete the projects (places
in parenthesis): Siri Tollefsen (Risøyhamn, Andøy),
Terese Riis (Vinjesjøen in Bø), Myriam Borst
(Stokmarknes in Hadsel), Heidi Nygård (Sortland)
and Karel Kotz (Myre in Øksnes).
Lødingen has two decorated transformer sheds,
«Livskraft» (Life Power) and «Kystkraft» (Coastal
Power)]. The first of these is located at the bus
stop in Lødingen; the other is on the right side of
the road exiting Lødingen.
24
46
47
HADSEL:
«Transformasjoner» (Transformations)
Myriam Borst
(being moved to
a new location)
48
SORTLAND:
«Strømninger» (Currents) Heidi Nygård
50
ANDØY:
«Havblomst» (Sea Flower) Siri Tollefsen
49
BØ:
«Det røde gullbergslottet» (The Red
Gullberg Castle) Terese Riis
51
52
ØKSNES:
«Naustet» (The Boathouse)
Karel Kotz
LØDINGEN:
«Livskraft» (Life Power) Heidi Nygård
The Gulf Stream
has gone ashore
The warm caress flowing out of Mexico brings very much with
it. At Andenes and Stø, in Hovden and on the seaward side of
Hadseløya, some of what has drifted ashore has been used in art
installations.
The RÆK projects were realized as a part of the Gulf Stream
Cultural Lift, which began at Andenes in 2001. The art school
here completed the project together with artists Bent Aune and
Ingrid Larssen. Sundry items from the shoreline were
affixed to a transformer shed in the harbour area, painted blue
and decorated with words and phrases.
In 2002, the project was expanded. Myre primary school,
Husjord School, Romset School and Øksnes Coastal Society
created RÆK II with ornament artist Ingrid Larssen as
consultant. Artists working on a volunteer basis placed
three large wooden beams at Stø. The boulder behind it was
given an eye – so that it looks like a whale or wolffish.
Using nine metre-long beams of driftwood and a two-metre
tall basalt column from Iceland, artist Harald Oredam and
his able assistants created the art installation RÆK III.
On the outer side of Hadseløya, at Taen, a stone spiral
has been created, since stones have also drifted with the
Gulf Stream. Pupils from Stokmarknes primary school and
Hadsel upper secondary created the
installation in collaboration with artist Siv Johansen.
A path with a love bench and youthful poetry leads
down to RÆK IV.
26
BØ:
RÆK III
at Hovden
in Bø
HADSEL:
RÆK IV
at Taen
in Hadsel
53
ANDØY:
RÆK I
transformer
shed at the
car park at
Hisnakul,
Andenes
54
ØKSNES:
RÆK II
at Stø near the
Stø caravan
campgrounds
55
56
The Blue City by the Sea
57
SORTLAND WILL BE PAINTED BLUE!
Newspaper articles with this type of headline now fill several
scrapbooks. Artist Bjørn Elevenes first presented the idea of a
blue city in 1998, and a pilot project was begun, as part of
Sortland Municipality’s millennium project and as a portion of
the cultural lift, with the Gulf Stream as a source of inspiration.
A storm ensued. The local newspaper, during several stormy
periods, printed page after page of letters to the editor, both
against and in favour of the blue city, for and against the
various shades of colour that were presented. In the
meantime, the city has become a little bluer each year.
A wall here, an alley there, and a facade tomorrow.
The idea is to infuse the local population and visitors to the
city with new energy, to improve open public spaces, and
to create an environment for growth and creativity. Some
of this creative energy has found expression in Writing on
a field of blue. Young people from Vesterålen have worked
together with author Lars Saabye Christensen to create
literary embellishments on a volunteer basis.
– We plan to collaborate in order to give Sortland a gift
of poetry, said Saabye Christensen, before the volunteer
group went out into the streets to find locations in
need of a word, a sentence, a poem, a phrase.
The blue facades have been adorned with letters
– short phrases addressed to you who wander along a
wall, cross a street, round a street corner. Be sure to
stop and ponder them for a moment!
28
Other outdoor art
(58)BADEBÅT
Harald Oredam. Sculpture located across from the
gravel football pitch, Melbu School. Dark larvikite.
(59)BÅTSPANTET
Sculpture that stands at Mardeksbrygga in Stokmarknes. In 1974 the rib of a boat was found
while doing excavating work at a construction
site. It dates from 320-440 AD. Therefore, it
belonged to one of the oldest known clinkerbuilt boats in Northern Scandinavia.
(60)FARKOST
Annelise Josefsen. Sculpture at Lødingen
Upper Secondary School. Lødingen monzonite.
(61)INTERN DIALOG
Harald Oredam, sculpture at the entrance to the
newspaper building.
Rådhusgata 2, Sortland, Monzonite.
(62)KOMMUNIKASJON
Ellen Jacobsen. Sculpture in cast bronze, at the
Telenor building in the Telecom Park, Lødingen.
(63)MANN MED EGET TAK
Harald Oredam, 1987. Bronze sculpture at Breines, inner Sigerfjord, down on the shoreline.
(64)PORTAL Gunn Harbitz. At Myre Church. Granite.
(65) PUSTEROM
Trude Westby Nordmark. A composite sculpture
comprising two parts – a light box and a wooden
sculpture. Inspired by Fjellbjørka. Stands at the
entrance to Sortland Upper Secondary School.
30
Responsible for this brochure:
Cultural Collaboration in Vesterålen represented by Vibeke Suhr (responsible) and
Margrethe Berntsen.
Image composition:
Ingunn Moen Reinsnes, Elin Rindahl Steiro.
Photographers:
Page 22–29. Trym Ivar Bergsmo, Erik Bugge, Heidi Nygård, Vegard Moen, Alf Oxem,
Terese Riis and Svein Spjelkavik and David
Lichtneker-Akzo Nobel.
Siv Johansen
«Nordlandstavle»
Reference texts:
Page 2 and 22–28: Bård Michalsen.
Layout:
The Advertising agency Mål og Mening in
collaboration with Cultural Collaboration.
English translation:
Tim Challman
The artists from Vesterålen who are represented in this brochure are either members
of national professional associations for
artists or have been qualified for inclusion
by a jury of professionals.
Silvia Rehnlund
«Fruen ved havet»
Financed through a partnership agreement
between Nordland County Administration
and Vesterålen Regional Council.
Gunnar Tollefsen
«Isflak»
31
Andenes
1 29 40 53
= Art galleries/-workshops/-sales outlets
= Outdoor art
21 22
Nøss
54
9 20 24 37 43
Nyksund
12 47
Stø
Risøyhamn
3 43 50 64
Myre
32
Sørvåg
55
Tinden
Hovden
28
9
Finvåg
Gåsbøl
Reinsnes
Nykvåg
18
30
31
Straume
14
45 49
Vinjesjøen
Kalsnes
Skjervøy
41
8
56
2
Teigan
Taen
5 17 27 46 59
50
4
Jennestad
6 13 15 1611191225 33 34
35 39 42 48 57 61 65
Sortland
Rise
Sigerfjord
11
Breines
7 14
Børøya
Stokmarknes
Hadsel
Melbu 10
63
Lofast
23 26 36 38 58
Lødingen
Hustad
51 52 60 62
44