He was being called a “pillar” of Norway’s post-war art, and brought one of the country’s leading gallery owners to tears on national radio on Tuesday. That was when state broadcaster NRK reported the death of artist Håkon Bleken at the age of 96.
“It really wasn’t very unexpected, but this is a pillar within Norwegian art who has left us,” said a choked-up Kim Brandstrup of Galleri Brandstrup, which issued a press release announcing Bleken’s death “with deep sorrow and great respect.” The gallery went on to state that Bleken leaves “an outstanding legacy that has influenced Norwegian art for more than half a century.”
The gallery also noted how Bleken’s work was characterized by emotional depth, a sharp eye on his times and a dramatic visual effect. “He will remain great forever,” Brandstrup told NRK. “He has left a deep mark on Norwegian art.”
Despite his advanced age, Bleken had remained active until the end, with a major exhibition of new works at Brandstrup’s gallery at Tjuvholmen in Oslo just a few years ago and more since then. He had earlier said himself that he intended to keep painting until he was 100 years old, and he turned down jobs and at least one request for a portrait when he was in his late 80s because he was too busy with too many other projects.
His work is on display at Norway National Museum in Oslo, at the KODE art museums in Bergen and in the city art museum in Trondheim, where he was born on January 9, 1929 and died on January 21, 2025. His works included paintings, sketches, collage, graphics and book illustrations, and can also be found in Norwegian homes around the country.
For more photos of the artist and his art, click here, and here.
He was also known for being politically involved and having strong opinions that inspired some of his art. That included his harsh criticism of at least one former government minister in charge of culture, Torhild Widvey, who incurred his wrath when she allegedly put political pressure on the director of the museum in his home town even though he and the museum were supposed to be independent. He was also known for criticizing and even ridiculing politicians in books he also wrote and through his art. Targets of his criticism included the long-time mayor of Trondheim, Rita Ottervik, especially when she was involved in controversial property development plans. Ottervik, for her part, claimed she was glad that Bleken was so politically- and socially-minded.
“Håkon Bleken reminded us that art shall be more than a comfort or entertainment,” said Norway’s current culture minister, Lubna Jaffery of the Labour Party. “It should also point a finger at us, yell at us and prompt us to think things through.” She noted that Bleken also picked up on important issues including war and terror and how it affects civilians and vulnerable people: “He was socially engaged and unafraid. He will stand as one of the most marked and clear artists of our time.”
Some claim Bleken, who was knighted by the king and had painted portaints of both King Harald and Queen Sonja, became a better and better artist as he aged. He both worked with and was hailed by everyone from actress and film director Liv Ullmann (whom he painted as a young actress on stage at a theater in Trondheim) to local musician Åge Aleksandersen. He was chosen as Årets trønder (citizen of the year in the Trøndelag region around Trondheim) in 2018. “He was completely clear in his head and painted better and better as he neared 96,” Per Høiem of Galleri Ismene, and a friend of Bleken’s.
“He was one of our most creative artists, who did not stop developing himself as he grew old,” said art critic Mona Pahle Bjerke. Funeral arrangements were pending.
NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund