Kategori: Sculptures

Copy of ‘Holmsbu town history’

On the beach below Badehotellet stands "Dame på vei til stranden", by Skule Waksvik (1927-2018), a motif that fits well as a symbol of summer in Holmsbu. Waksvik did many works for public spaces. Animals and women are recurring motifs.

Along the walkway towards the guest harbor is Agnes Volent (b. 1958), the artist behind "Måkejenta". Volent lives in Hurum, and has also contributed sculptures of children playing in the square in Sætre. She works with several different materials, but common to many of her works is that they depict human figures.

The newest sculpture in the center is located by Bryggekjøkkenet. "The Shell" was created by Axel Wolf (b. 1966). He was born in Germany, lives in Lier and works in Asker. This sculpture has become very popular – perhaps because it is a great backdrop for selfies from Holmsbu. The sculpture is designed so that a not too large body can fit halfway into it, and get an exciting effect from all the mirrors mounted in the sculpture.

A little more modest is "Touch" which stands by the square. The artist is Rados Dedic (1946 – 1999). He was Norwegian-Yugoslav, and worked with both sculpture and visual art. The work is made of stainless steel, a material Dedic often worked with.

Outside the city center, at "Henrik Sørensen's oak" below Holmsbu Art Museum, two wooden sculptures have been added, made by Gunvor Nervold Antonsen (b. 1974). Asker municipality placed these here in 2024, when Antonsen was designated "Holmsbu artist of the year". The title is "The light in your body". She has tried to show the love that the artist colony had for Holmsbu, and combine people's love relationships and the artistic processes. 

Street Art – Jessheim

COLORING THE STREETS in Jessheim 

In Jessheim there is a lot of exciting street art .

Jessheim celebrated its 10-year town anniversary in 2022 and in that connection a wall was painted with a Steinar Caspari motif designed by Egil Nyhus called Gjess.

In the park by Såvegen there is also an exciting piece of art painted on a small house.

On the back wall of Ullensaker Kulturhus there is also a wall with drawings inspired by motifs and people from Jessheim.

Martin Whatson has painted several walls around the Oslo region in correlation with a project called SPRAY. In Jessheim Whatson and Eric Ness Christiansen have done a huge piece together. To get to the art simply take the bus or train to Jessheim station. From there walk across the parking lot to Henrik Bulls vei. You can see Whatson's work finishing the piece on each sides of the road. 
Check out the SPRAY video here

Martin Whatson (b.1984) is a Norwegian street artist best known for his calligraphic scribbles in grayscale voids. Over the past decade, Martin has developed an unmistakable aesthetic combining abstract movement with figurative stencilled compositions. His works can be seen to mirror the rise and fall of the streets, as he symbolically recreates the urban environment, then vandalises it to reveal his vibrant transformations. Read more about Whatson

Information from Visit Greater Oslo 

Imprints – ceramic sculpture park

The sculpture park was designed by the Norwegian artist Magne Furuholmen and is the largest collection of ceramic works in Scandinavia today. Her Majesty the Queen officially opened the sculpture park when it was ready in June 2016.

There are 40 individual ceramic elements, all made of high-burnt faience. Two huge jars of 6 meters weighing 9 tons each form the entrance and end of the park. On the long sides there are 9 different columns of between 2 and 4 meters which are placed in two elongated water basins, where water and steam will create different atmospheric moods depending on the season.

"The goal was to create a park that could be experienced in different ways at different times, with water in the summer and steam in the winter as an atmospheric element, in addition to lighting"

In my faith, in my hope, in my love

Three cast-iron heads are standing at the quayside in Fredrikstad. Their eyes are closed. The monumental size of the 4.5 metre sculptures contrasts with the peaceful, introverted expressions of the young women portrayed. The way in which the heads are stretched vertically gives them a floating, spiritual feel.

Plensas three heads are modelled from real people. The shape is processed digitally before it is produced in cast iron, conceived especially for this location.

The artist has long been inspired by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, and it was a quote from Peer Gynt that inspired him to make the three-part artwork in Fredrikstad:

– When Peer returns from his journey, where he has failed as a human being in many ways, he asks his wife Solveig ‘Where was I as the one I should have been, whole and true?’ Solveig answers: ‘In my faith, in my hope, in my love’. With these words he is set free. It's a strong message, and I've wanted to make an artwork based on Solveig for quite some time. It was really fitting to do this as my first project in Norway.

– Although this is my motivation for the work, it's not necessary for the audience to know the story. Everyone is free to interpret it in his or her own way.

 

Skulpturstopp is a gift from Sparebankstiftelsen DNB to Norwegian municipalities.

Hafslund Manor

With roots dating back to the Middle Ages, the manor has been a place for national dramatic events and the growth of industry along Sarpsfossen. Prominent owners, strong personalities and royal guests have left their mark on both buildings and surroundings.

The Hafslund name is first mentioned in a document from 1344, and does not refer to a farm, but to a lid – an area of land consisting of several farms that was to provide one man for a leidang. In 1397, the name reappears in connection with the registration of income from Store and Lille Hafslund, owned by the Diocese of Oslo.

Throughout the 1500s, sawmills were built along Sarpsfossen, and by the end of the century, various party owners had established 17 sawmills on the east side of the waterfall. In 1594, the two Hafslund farms are mentioned again. The rights to Sarpsfossen were sought after, and the location of the farms was good.

Around 1600, the nobleman Otte Bildt gathered ownership of the sawmills, the Hafslund farms and the surrounding mills to Nes. He erected a stone manor house where the main building stands today and received seat rights from the Crown in 1608. Hafslund thus became one manor with noble status.

After Otte Bildt, Hafslund Manor has had an impressive line of owners. Among them were Anna Collett and Peter Elieson, who owned the manor when the main building burned down in the winter of 1758. After the fire, the building was fully rebuilt in 1762, in the overall Rococo style. The Rococo palace is still standing today, and thanks to its preservation in 1923, the original details are well preserved.

The power company Hafslund has owned the manor since 1898. The largest restoration was led by architect Arnstein Arneberg, who was engaged by the power company in the 1930s.

Guided tours

A tour of Hafslund Manor is a journey back to the glory days of the manor, where the manor's skilled guides invite you into the manor's beautiful halls and chambers. Here you can see and hear the stories that rest in the walls – stories about people, cultural heritage and traditions that have shaped Hafslund through the ages. The manor is open to the public every Sunday in July and on selected Sundays in December.

Tickets can be purchased through isarpsborg and Ticketco. For the tours in July, tickets are available from the beginning of May, and from the beginning of November for the tours in December.

Hafslundparken is open to the public all year round and is well adapted for a promenade and recreation.

Quality Airport Hotel Gardermoen

Facility Manager Glenn Tolderlund talks about the idea behind the decoration.

"The elk that symbolizes the forest and our position in the hotel forest at Gardermoen.

The owl, which symbolizes wisdom and knowledge you acquire with us via conferences.

Waterfalls that bring out clean energy.

The rainbow that shows diversity and "room for all"

Nasse Nøff who is the slightly naive one, but a friend who stands by your side no matter what and dares to ask the "strange" questions.

Strawberry: Where the adventure started and where we are going – Everything is blueberry for us.

The forest that stands for peace, recreation and the environment"

A big thank you to artist Simon Alfredo, Nordic Choice and KLP Eiendom for this art

Member of Visit Greater Oslo 

Martin Whatson Street Art in Greater Oslo

COLORING THE STREETS IN GREATER OSLO

Discover amazing street art around in Greater Oslo done by Martin Whatson. Go and explore the art yourself!

 

Martin Whatson has painted several walls around the Oslo region in correlation with a project called SPRAY. You will find one of his pieces in this project at lille smuget in Asker. The town center is only a short walk from the train station. Whatson has also done a piece at Bekkestua elementary school. 

Check out the SPRAY video here

In Jessheim Whatson and Eric Ness Christiansen have done a huge piece together. To get to the art simply take the bus or train to Jessheim station. From there walk across the parking lot to Henrik Bulls vei. You can see Whatson's work finishing the piece on each sides of the road. 
​
Martin Whatson (b.1984) is a Norwegian street artist best known for his calligraphic scribbles in grayscale voids. Over the past decade, Martin has developed an unmistakable aesthetic combining abstract movement with figurative stencilled compositions. His works can be seen to mirror the rise and fall of the streets, as he symbolically recreates the urban environment, then vandalises it to reveal his vibrant transformations. Read more about Whatson

Information from Visit Greater Oslo 

Coastal gems along the Oslofjord west coast

Throughout history, the west side of Oslo has attracted artists, bathers and Christiania's nobility to gather in the small towns during the summer months. No wonder the area today has 6 of Norway's Blue Flag beaches in addition to top hikes with stunning views and plenty of unspoilt nature.

A road trip through Bærum and Asker and Hurumlandet, takes you through various eras via charming summer gems such as Vollen, Sætre and Holmsbu. The area is best experienced by car but is also very popular to explore from the bike seat or by leisure boat. There is also a scheduled boat between Aker Brygge and Drøbak / Son with stops along the coast.

From industry and shipbuilding to small town charm
You can get close to Oslo and the region's cultural highlights by staying at Fornebu with sea views and bathing opportunities right outside your door. At Scandic Fornebu everything is ready for a lovely dinner, a game of shuffleboard in the bar. Explore the Fornebu peninsula with its art installations, exciting architecture, Nansenparken and magnificent coastal nature. Art lovers should also visit the Henie Onstad Art Center or Sjøholmen near Sandvika before the tour continues.

Take a tour of the old ironworks at Bærums Verk for a gallery tour and shopping, today a shopping center with over 40 shops and restaurants. The place is idyllically situated along the river Lomma. The sculpture park shows the country's foremost collection of Norwegian sculptors. Fill up the basket of delicacies for the drive from Smelters Mathus and crafts from the unique shops.

A stop in Vollen offers a whole day of experiences; unique shops with jewelery design and fashion, delicious Mediterranean lunch by the water at Vito´s or the taste of Greece at Elea. A popular activity is renting Jet Ski in the marina for a ride to the coastal pearl Konglungen and Middagsbukta, followed by sauna and sea bath at Varm in Vollen. On the other side of the bay, the Oslofjord Museum has changing exhibitions that tell about life on the fjord and boat building traditions. The Polar ship Maud was built here and is now for storage in Tofte, further south on the Hurum Peninsula.
In pleasant Filtvedt there is real danger of staying here in the beautiful white bay with a view to the lighthouse ……. but new experiences are worth the detachment.

World-class geology
You get the feeling of being in Southern Norway all the way along the long coast with small coves and beaches, maritime walks and white seahouses. Explore the unique geology where you see fossils of snails and squid in the stone urns in Slemmestad. The outfield is full of mushrooms throughout the fall, small undisturbed lakes for a dip are nice hiking destinations and you really get away from the hectic everyday life.

The painter town of Holmsbu
Rødangen and Holmsbu were early favorites among the elite of artists, known for their beautiful light. Here the coast is at some of its most beautiful where the fjord opens, the seals colonies reside on the islets and the many nature reserves manage wildlife and plant life. Rent a nice cabin and stay near this coastal pearl that oozes of life from Easter to the autumn holidays, but is well worth a year-round visit. Spend the evening with fine dining at one of the city's restaurants and cafes, listening to live music in the backyard or on the hotel's terrace before the small talk continues into the late morning.

When the morning light comes on, why not start the day in the robes before exploring the area either by renting a canoe, cycling or discovering the galleries for which the place is so famous. The hotel serves a good breakfast with sea views. Just below the hotel there is the possibility to rent the floating sauna and combine the sea bath, togetherness and sauna.

Royal scenery and farm visits
There is something soothing about the presence of the animals, sweaters knit from the finest alpaca wool and to touch the soft fur. Enjoy a day at Bergvang Gård, get close to the beautiful alpacas and ride into the forest on horseback. The Icelandic horse is fun to ride, it is small and strong. The tours take place in the beautiful area at Semsvann in Asker, in the backyard of the Crown Prince´s residence.

Wellbeeing and togetherness
Visit Holmen Fjordhotell to get care of stiff muscles and quality time. Enjoy the afternoon in the hotel's SPA with pool, steam room and jaccuzi. The evening should end with a delicious sea view meal, wine from the house's beautiful wine cellar and a game of shuffleboard.

** Have a good trip**

Peder Balke-Senteret

Welcome to the Peder Balke-center!

In a listed building from the 18th century, gorgeously situated on a hillside facing the lake, you will find our gallery. Inside is the ballroom which Peder Balke decorated with 12 wallpaintings in 1834. In addition to the wall paintings, in summer we host temporary exhibitions featuring the work of contemporary artists.

Peder Balke was a pioneer in 19th century Scandinavian landscape painting. In his pictures, he united the naturalistic vein of the romantic movement with a unique exploration of painting techniques. In recent years, interest in Balke's work has been steadily increasing, first with the exhibition Peder Balke – Vision and Revolution at the Nordnorsk Art Museum in 2014. This exhibition was a collaboration with the National Gallery, culminating in the Peder Balke exhibition in London in the period November 2014-April 2015). In April 2017, the exhibition Peder Balke – Painter of Northern Light opened at The Metropolitan in New York.

In 2025, the gallery is open from May 10th to September 21nd
De 4 årstider (interiorshop) og Gromt (Café) is open all year around Wednesday – Sunday (except January)

Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 11 – 16. Sunday: 12 – 16.

Lunch: 
Gromt is the center’s own lunch restaurant.
Here you can eat a nice lunch, have a coffee with delicious cakes or order catering.

Interior shop:
The shop “De 4 årstider” is a interior shop with local crafts, local food and more.

The Area: 
The sculptures, park and tea pavilion are open to the public at all times and the area around the Peder Balke-center is perfect for hiking. 

Groups: 
We welcome bookings for group tours outside of opening hours.