Since the teenage years Queen Sonya (85) Gathered on arts and crafts, which became an essential and indispensable part of their existence. The verb she says she did is “with love.”
On June 22, the exhibition “Open Doors” opened at Dronning Sonja KunstStall.
Reveal a special celebration
More than 100 works from her private collection are displayed here, selected by Sune Nordgren (74) – former director of the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design. Many works on a daily basis are an important part of the interiors of the royal estate.
– Sune made an interesting choice, it turned out differently than I would have chosen myself, but it was just the way I wanted it, as the Queen wrote in the pamphlet for the exhibition.
Now we’ll see: The Open Doors gallery contains 100 works from 50 different artists. Inside the venue, the Queen was able to display Maud Angelica and Mette-Marit, among other things, work for Queen Margaret! Photo: Tor Lindseth / Se og Hør
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Nearby things
At the opening, the Queen was followed by Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 48, and her granddaughter Maud Angelica, 19.
Grandma’s dream come true
Her grandson continued the Queen’s interest in art, this spring finishing high school at Oslo City Steinerskol. Maud Angelica is also a skilled painter, something she inherited from her father, the late artist Ari.
Someone to listen to: In 2020, Maud Angelica was named “Voice of the Year” by KK magazine for the speech she gave at her father Ari’s funeral. Mette-Marit told many times how brave her niece was. Photo: Tor Lindseth / Se og Hør
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Passion of love: Crown Princess Mette-Marit has a big heart. On the show, she and Maud Angelica have sweet conversations between the works of the large Queen group. Photo: Tor Lindseth / Se og Hør
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It was easy to see the commitment of the three women inside the gallery. Smiles and laughter were also free between them.
While the Queen led the way with the press, Mette-Marit toured with Maud Angelica. Princess Taj lovingly bore her niece and was a caring aunt.
Amazing: Sune Nordgren and Queen Sonja are fans of Pål Vigeland’s “Egg 2” from 2008. – I am very happy with the result of your work, the Queen said to her friend Sune. Photo: Tor Lindseth / Se og Hør
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There were also musical elements this evening. Three newly graduated musicians from Norges Musikklinje and NTNU Jazz-linja performed two songs from Sonny Rollins, as well as performing “Jeg lagged meg så silde” – to Sonja’s great excitement.
– Has anyone panicked?
Se og Hør’s envoy stood right behind the Queen and could see how she kept the rhythm with her head and her feet to the swinging music.
– That was good, guys. I am so fond of jazz, she revealed in abundance in her acceptance speech.
Well delivered: These three guys impressed Sonya with their swinging tunes – and then they got flowers. From left: Oscar Andreas Haug, Konstantin Ellingsberg-Helmers and Haakon Holdt Nyström. Photo: Tor Lindseth / Se og Hør
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word of the day
It was easy to see from Queen Sonya that this was a special occasion for her.
Desperate for Chris’ new invention
– It is wonderful to look at one’s life on the walls, because that is what it is. When she begins to think and collect art when she is 15 years old – and today she has reached a certain age – it appears on the walls, said the Queen.
Good snippet: The Queen’s collection consists of 1,600 artworks – now 100 of them are on display. – Sune, you knocked down a lot of walls, and Sonja commented on the great laughter from the gathering. Photo: Tor Lindseth / Se og Hør
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Art gave a special meaning to my life. I think life without art would be too poor and empty for most of us.
On the walls you can also find the works of the late Kjell Nupen, with whom Sonja collaborated for several years. She herself appeared with her own prints at the age of 74.
Anniversary: In 1982, Andy Warhol played Queen Sonya when she visited him in his studio in New York. Warhol drew six different pictures, and you can see one of them in Dronning Sonja KunstStall. Photo: Tor Lindseth / Se og Hør
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– This is life: meeting the artists in the studio or in the workshop and listening to the techniques and possibilities – and everything they have been through. You influenced me. Especially these encounters with the people who are shown here – they reflect what I have experienced.
Now everyone could see with their own eyes the treasures that the Queen had collected over the years. As coordinator Sonn Nordgren says:
– The show is a tribute to a highly personal group and enthusiastic collector!
Read also: Beamed: – Hardly accidental!
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