Glass, earth, fire: Per Inge Bjørlo

It is almost 20 years since Bjørlo’s first exhibition in Ålesund, Tvilens perspektiv. Samtalar 1 (The Perspective of Doubt. Conversations 1), also at Jugendstilsenteret. In one of the works created for that exhibition, Velkommen heim (Welcome Home) (2004), he transformed Jugendstilsenteret’s stately dining room into an embodied mental image, replacing the fine tableware with needle sharp shards of glass poking up through a white felt cloth. Now in the museum’s collection, this work will be presented again as part of the autumn exhibition.

The work Blomar til mor (Flowers for Mother) (2014–2017), which will fill much of KUBE’s ground floor this autumn, forms a centre of gravity towards which the other works in the exhibition are orientated. On show for the first time here in Ålesund, this work offers a point of access to a central aspect of Bjørlo’s art: universal themes of human existence that we are likely to encounter during our time on earth between life and death.

There is an ardour to Bjørlo’s work. He nurtures a burning intensity and uncompromising dedication to art. As an art museum, a belief in the fundamental value of art to society is central to everything we do. And for this reason, we are delighted to host Bjørlo in Ålesund this autumn, filling all three floors of KUBE plus the dining room at Jugendstilsenteret with his art. Welcome to a powerful experience!

Read more about the artworks in the exhibition here.