Helene Knoop, one of Norway’s foremost artists, employs the classic, ancient Grecian style in her work with oil paintings. With the demeanour and mentality found in many renowned artists, Helene believes that the art is a reflection of the viewer. Indeed, Helene Knoop’s works are immersive. They act as a vivid and picturesque representation of the world, depicting powerful scenes with a range of emotions.
WHAT’S HOT: Lille Herbern, seafood restaurant on an island in the Oslo Fjord. Take a short ferry trip from Bygdøy to Lille Herbern island. Open in Summer seasons from May 1st to September 30th. Book your table!
Helene’s studio is right in the centre of Oslo, and she prefers to spend many hours alone with her works. Not to spend her days as a basement mole, however, she loves visiting exhibitions on the weekends. Drawn to the older times and Belle Epoque in the world of art, Helene often wanders among the venerable buildings and areas in Oslo, feeling an appreciation for the relatively small European capital. “Everything is in walking distance in Oslo which makes it so easy to be in”, said Helene Knoop. “If you are in the very centre, go to Theatercafeen —a cafe in the style of art deco with beautiful guests and a nostalgic atmosphere. Ekebergparken, the sculpture park, boasts some of the most beautiful views of Oslo, as well as displays of modern, postmodern and contemporary art. And if you want to experience a Norwegian’s leisurely lifestyle, go to Lille Herbern on Bygdøy peninsula and order a plate of exquisite mussels”, were her recommendations, and, perhaps, her inspirations.
Helene Knoop: “Ekebergparken, the sculpture park, boasts some of the most beautiful views of Oslo, as well as displays of modern, postmodern and contemporary art.”
Form her artistic and aesthetic point of view, the perfect way to learn this city is to walk, starting from Frysja, the old industrial area at the top of the Aker River. The river runs through all of Oslo and ends by the Norwegian Opera. One simply must pass the old industrial buildings along the river, or move on to the Botanical Garden, where there are beautiful Victoria water lilies to be seen. The Munch Museum is located right next to the Botanical Garden, housing many of Edvard Munch’s major works. Extend the joys of the day with a bike ride down to the water, starting at Opera and moving outwards to Bygdøy. If the timing is right and your luck is in, you might ride past the royal cows grazing outside the palace.
In the coming years Oslo harbour will be fully developed: a new concert hall will be built for the Oslo Philharmonic, the roofs of apartment buildings will be covered with grass and vegetable gardens for the enjoyment of Oslo’s residents, and the centre of the city will be totally car free. With these changes coming in, one can imagine this tranquil city will become all the more appealing, and all the more inspiring to the aesthetically-inclined Helene Knoop. We recommend checking out her works at www.heleneknoop.com, and perhaps walking through her city afterwards. See if you can figure out what sight inspired which painting.
Edited by Akif Rashid / Photos by Dina Johnsen
#norwegianart, #art, #arts
