Under Pressure

The anniversary exhibition “Under Pressure – master prints from Atelje Larsen” is being held at Dunkers Kulturhus in Helsingborg, Sweden. Founded 40 years ago in Helsingborg, Atelje Larsen has become one of the leading printmaking studios in the modern art world.

The head of the studio, printmaker Ole Larsen, hopes the exhibition will increase the public’s interest in contemporary graphic prints.

International exhibition of graphic prints

The exhibition seeks to show printmaking as an art in its own right, with a myriad of possibilities for expression. The largest of its kind to be organised in Sweden, the exhibition showcases 1 000 works by 80 internationally renowned artists.

The exhibition features graphic prints by Queen Sonja and the Norwegian artists Kjell Nupen and Ørnulf Opdahl, as well as works by Norwegian artists Bjørg Thorhallsdottir, Charlotte Thiis-Evensen, Kjell Erik Killi Olsen, Magne Furuholmen, Olav Christopher Jensen, Patrick Huse, Thorbjørn Sørensen and Vibeke Slyngstad, all of whom have collaborated with Atelje Larsen. The Swedish Minister for Culture and Sports Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth will undertake the officially opening of the exhibition.

“Three journeys – three landscapes”

Queen Sonja collaborated with Kjell Nupen, Ørnulf Opdahl and Ole Larsen on a project entitled Tre reiser – tre landskap (“Three journeys – three landscapes”), which resulted in a collection of 24 original copper and polymer plate prints. The Queen, Mr Nupen and Mr Opdahl each created eight prints in 50 signed and numbered copies.

The Queen’s prints are based on photographs from her trip to Svalbard in 2006. The works will be open to public view for the first time at the exhibition at Dunkers Kulturhus.

Art award

The objective of this collaborative project is to acquire start capital for the Foundation for Her Majesty Queen Sonja’s Art Award. Established on 14 January 2011, the foundation seeks to generate interest in and promote the development of paper-based art.

The award will be given for the first time in 2012. Anniversary banquet

This evening Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon will attend an official banquet for the artists hosted by the city of Helsingborg.