NICOLAUS WIDERBERG STUDIO

1987

Guest artist at the Molde Jazz Festival.

Participates in the Norway 87 exhibition in Gothenburg, Sweden, with ‘Torso’ 1984, wood/steel 250 x 65 x 40cm (exhibited in 1985), and two other works in wood and steel, collectively titled ‘Group’, accompanied by music composed by his brother Thomas. The Swedish newspapers described the work as a “sort of Nordic God of the forest…” placed as it was in the Trädgårdsföreningen (Gothenburg’s famous park). It was also noted for succeeding in solving “… the problematic relationship between sculpture and nature”. Rolf Anderberg in the Swedish newspaper Göteborgposten (18.07.87). 

Participates in the exhibition ‘Møtestedet’ (The Meeting), at which the visually impaired are encouraged to interact with the works. With music by his brother Thomas integrated in the sculpture, ‘Vuggen’ (The Cradle), is later included in exhibitions at the Henie-Onstad Art Centre, Høvikodden in 1993 and in Lillehammer in 1994. The National Gallery, Oslo, (Riiks Gallery) purchases ‘Havhode’ (Ocean Head) 1987, Marble/ stone, 60 x 50 x 17cm, from his one-man exhibition at Wang Kunsthandel, Oslo.

1987 - 88

Wins one of the most prestigious sculpture competitions in Norway, Larvik Council’s commission to create a monument celebrating Thor Heyerdahl who was born there. The other competing artists include Nina Bang, Dora Bendixen, Steinar Christensen, Svein Rønning and Knut Steen. Fritz Røed is Chairman of the selection panel.

Two symbolic logs of balsa (traditionally used to made rafts), carry a stylised wave made of the local blue-black stone, Larvikite, also known as Marina Pearl. The 3.5-metre-high carved figure of Heyerdahl stands on the wave. The abstract and figurative elements of the monument combine to capture the character of the scientist whose archaeological expeditions were much publicised in the 1950s. The names of his expeditions, Kon Tiki, Ra 1, Ra 2 and Tigris are carved into the stone in the manner of the early rock carvings. 

Enlists the expertise of the specialist stone masons at J. Johansens Monumental at Skjerberg in the county of Vestfold, to produce the five-metre-high monument weighing approximately 40 tons. Continues to produce many of his major stone pieces at Skjerberg. 

Olga Stokke interviews Widerberg for Aftenposten’s magazine supplement. Interview by Bernhard Tostad for Aftenposten 24.12. 1987.

While at his parents’ house in Villa Faraldi, Widerberg visits Thor Heyerdahl at his nearby property in Italy where he makes a clay bust of the explorer, which is subsequently used as the model for the Larvik commission. Participates in the Autumn Exhibition Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo.

1989 

Bølgen (The Wave), 500 x 300 x 300cm, is unveiled on 6 October at Tollerodden in Larvik on Heyerdahl’s 75th birthday.

Receives a travel scholarship with a studio to study at the Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris. One-man exhibitions are held at Sandnes Kunstforening and Sandefjord Kunstforening. Participates in a group exhibition at Galleri F-15, Jeløya, Moss

1990

Completes the commission for the ship owners, Kloster Rederi, with a stylised Viking Ship produced in steel, marble and granite for the cruise ship the Viking Sun. Incorporating acid-resistant steel in the commission, he begins working with Hamy Sveis A/S of Okse Nøya, the company responsible for the metal work. Installs Drøm (Dream) 1990, marble/diabase/vånga granite, 130 x 65 x 40cm at BA-HR law firm, Oslo. 

Has a one-man exhibition at Wang Kunsthandel, Oslo. Participates in group exhibitions at Kuovla, Samtidsmuseum, Finland, and Aalborg Kunstpaviljong, Denmark.

1991

Receives a 3-year government grant. 

Completes the commission for the Nordic Empress, with ‘Baugen’ (The Bow), made of steel, brass, and glass crystals, extending over four decks of the ship’s stairway. 

Competing against artists Kristian Blystad, Hilde Rodahl, Nils Aas and Marit Wiklund, he wins a second major public competition, to commemorate the rescue operation in 1938 when M/S Rokta sank near Hustadvika, off the coast of Romsdal in Western Norway with its cargo of slate. The unveiling of the sculpture, ‘Ship-Sea-Mountain’, forms part of the centenary celebrations of the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue. Measuring four metres high and four meters wide, it represents an upturned ship. The boat shape is raised on two pillars framing the view of the sea where the shipwreck occurred. Eight lives were lost during the rescue operation.

Collaborates with his father, Frans Widerberg to produce a mural for the Directorate of Public Construction and Property, Oslo (later destroyed in the 22 July 2011 bombing).

Wins a third competition with his proposal for the memorial sculpture of Trygve Lie (1896 – 1968), the first Secretary General of the United Nations. The granite and bronze statue, titled ‘The Speech’, combines figurative and abstract elements to give monumentality to the sculpture and emphasise Trygve Lie’s qualities as a statesman and public speaker. 

Has a one-man exhibition at Lillesand Kunstforening. Participates in the Nordic Exhibition at Århus, Denmark.

1992

Installs ‘Kjerne’ (Core), a commission for the Statoil’s Terminal at Kårstø, North of Stavanger, comprising three monumental pillars of dark Larvikite, pink Røyken granite and grey Iddefjord granite, resembling the legs of a drilling platform. Overlapping stainless-steel plates crown the sculpture, which stands at the edge of a pool outside the main administration building. Complementing the architecture of the building, this abstract work references the wealth and energy powered by Norway’s natural resources.  

Marries the architect Marianne Borge.

Their daughter Victoria is born.