JONNY ANDVIK`S PERSONAL BLOG

THE COOL BLUE MEETS

WARM BROWN PAINTINGS 

- SOUTH MEETS NORTH AT KJERRINGØY

Irena Jović and Jonny Andvik at Gallery Zahl

28. July – 2. September 2012

The plane takes off from Torp in southern Norway with sun and fine weather. I feel the expectations of what soon are going to happen. I arrive in Bodø, located in a heavy cloud cover and six degrees. 

Kjerringøy - a fair spot on earth.

The reunion with Irena Jović - who I first met many years before at Odd Nerdrums studio was heartily. Irena's paintings impress me with its Nordic light and strong landscapes. 

We reminisced a bit about old times before heading into NRK Nordland directly morning broadcast on the radio. We were presented on the air. 

Hans Trygve Holm from "AN" - Nordland newspaper was waiting at the hotel. He is an experienced journalist who knows the history of art, artists, kitsch and the opposite projections. We had a long and interesting interview. My attitude was well presented in his article “A child of Rembrandt.” A comprehensive presentation, published on 28 July newspaper Nordland (see previous post for more on that). 

Managing Director of Zahl Gallery Tove Kusch was welcoming me to Nordland. It was a powerful encounter of Kjerringøy – when arriving at the ferryarea there was a change in the weather. From the misty fjord I saw Strandatinda and all the other magnificent mountain formations standing like sentinels over the landscape. The Old Trading location on Kjerringøy – now a touristattraction is a beautiful memorial for former trade and splendor, where wealthy merchants have lived and led trade of herring and other goods for generations. See www.nordlandsmuseet.no for more information about that. 

28. July was the opening day of our show and the ceremony was initiated by Tove Kusch. The gallery was packed like a barrel of herring and the mood high. Tove introduced Kirsti Saxi, who did a great opening speech that brought the laughter and applause. I said a few words and was not slow to praise the hospitality and enthusiasm I met everywhere at Kjerringøy. Among the audience was Karl Erik Harr and his wife Aud, which I was lucky enough to be invited to the next day. 

The exhibition is opened - Irena's cool blue and my warm brown paintings - a meeting between South and North of Norway at Kjerringøy. 

The exhibition hangs until the end of the first weekend in september 2012.