Tracey Emin wins international competition for a permanent, site-specific commissioned art work on the Museum Island, next to the new Munch Museum, Oslo.
In connection with the construction of the new Munch Museum in Oslo, funds have been reserved by the City of Oslo Art Programme for a specially commissioned artwork on the Oslo Harbour Promenade.
Based on proposals from the short-listed artists Matias Faldbakken, Tracey Emin, A K Dolven, Cristina Iglesias, Olafur Eliasson, Ragnar Kjartansson and Adrián Villar Rojas, the jury has unanimously decided to choose Tracey Emin’s The Mother to be executed for the Museum Island.
All proposals are presented at the website www.themuseumisland.com
The Museum Island will be rebuilt re-constructing the historical river mouth of the Akerselva river and is scheduled to be completed in time for the opening of the museum in 2020.
The Jury was greatly impressed by the strong artistic calibre and integrity of all seven proposals which attempted in different and innovative ways to relate to Munch’s oeuvre and show his ongoing relevance. Each of the artists demonstrated how contemporary art can contribute to bring profound experiences to a broad audience in this very important new part of Oslo Harbour.
Tracey Emin’s proposal The Mother, a seven metre high bronze sculpture will be positioned at the far end of the Museum Island, visible from the Harbour Promenade and neighbouring buildings, welcoming visitors arriving from the Oslo fjord.
The Jury Assessment states:
“Emin’s proposal of a large seated female figure facing the fjord, promises to be a striking presence at the edge of the Museum Island and against the backdrop of the cityscape/architecture of Bjørvika. With its immediate and visceral artistic approach it appears both intimate and majestic, vulnerable and grandiose. The title The Mother refers to a mature protector and the sculpture brings to mind the ubiquitous motifs of women and the nude in Munch’s work. As a non-idealised depiction of a woman made by a woman it can also be seen as a feminist statement.”
The jury believes that the proposal will appeal to a wide range of visitors and that The Mother has the potential to become a landmark and symbol not only for the Munch Museum but also for Oslo Harbour. Tracey Emin is a life-long admirer of Munch, and his art has been a vital inspiration for her for many years, making The Mother both apt and site relevant.
The Jury
Andrea Schlieker (Chair of the Jury)
Co-curator of the Art project and Director of exhibitions and displays, Tate Britain, London
Jon-Ove Steihaug
Co-curator of the Art project and Director of exhibitions and collections, The Munch Museum
Simen Bakken
The Museum Island builder, the City of Oslo,
the Culture and Sports Facilities Office
Jens Richter
Main architect, the Museum building, Estudio Herreros Architects
Bente Kleven
Local architect, the Museum building, LPO Architects
Nina Dillingøen
Project management, the Museum building, ÅF Advansia AF
Stein Olav Henrichsen
Director, The Munch Museum
The City of Oslo Art Programme is run by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, which is responsible for collecting and coordinating production of professional art in Oslo’s public spaces. The Museum Island art project is a collaboration between the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Culture and Sport Facilities Office and the Agency for Urban Environment in the City of Oslo.
For further information, please see www.themuseumisland.com or contact Communication Officer Alv Hågård Gustavsen, the Agency for Cultural Affairs: alv.hagard.gustavsen [at] kul.oslo.kommune.no.
