"Houses in the Land of The Northern Light"
Gunn Vottestad
Lithographs and paintings

The current exhibition at the Trygve Lie Gallery, "Houses in the Land of The Northern Light", displays lithographs and paintings by the Norwegian artist Gunn Vottestad. The Exhibition is on view through March 1st.

About the "Houses in the Land of The Northern Light" project
The Norwegian artist Gunn Vottestad is well known for her wide range interpretations of the characteristic houses of the northern parts of Norway, also known as the Land of the Northern Light. After a visit to the stunning landscapes of Lofoten, Norway in 2001, she began painting what is best described as “soulful houses”, or as she herself titles them; “husan mine” (“my houses”). Her paintings and lithographs strongly reflect the great love and affection she holds for this part of the northern Norwegian cultural heritage. “Some of the houses to which my attention was drawn, was built and placed in ways that made me feel they communicated a total and heart breaking loneliness. However, when the lights were turned on inside the houses, they started to come to life in a whole range of different ways. This experience made me start painting these houses the way I see them, all with completely different souls and stories.”

When she in 1999 was awarded 1st prize in the “Kunst for alle” Painting Contest, the jury underlined the fact that the exterior of the houses seemingly reflects a state of inner emotions.

The lithograph artworks displayed in the Exhibition “Houses in the Land of the Northern Light”, are mainly the last available copies of her limited series. The Exhibition also displays some of her paintings.

About the artist
Gunn Vottestad (b. 1949) was born and raised in Myhre, Vesterålen, Norway. She later lived in the city of Tromsø, Norway, before she moved to Oslo. Her education consists of drawing –and painting classes, classes with Hans Køhler, Volkshochschule Stuttgart, courses in drawing and painting at Folkeuniversitetet, Oslo, and Oslo Tegne og Maleskole. For quite a few years she ran The Gallery Art Print in Oslo, before she started painting during a long term stay in Germany, studying with Hans Köhler at the Volkshochschule Stuttgart.

The Exhibition was opened by Dr. Berit Johne - Counselor of Science, Royal Norwegian Embassy.

EXHIBITION DETAILS
Where: Trygve Lie Gallery, The Norwegian Church at 317 East 52nd Street, New York (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)
When: Opening Reception Tursday January 29, 6-8 pm. Exhibition on view thru March 1.
Info: Call (212) 319-0370
Opening hours: Monday – Thurs: 12-7pm, Friday - Sun: 1-5pm.

Admission is free, and the exhibit is open to the public. All artworks are for sale.