HYLAND
Playing a critical role in that growth by exhibiting a
wide spectrum of internationally-acclaimed talents, the
Peder Lund gallery is another must-visit in Tjuvholmen.
One of their American favorites is Jonathan Lasker, who is
known for his Figurative Abstraction, playful and colorful
Opart (Image of Self, Future of Thought, Law and Nature,
etc.).
As Artnews raves, "the paint is so molten-looking
it looks as if it might jump off the canvas." It's this
type of "self-confidence," structured and controlled
compositions with laborious brush strokes, that appeals
to young Norwegian artists and Lund gallerist Tone Berg
Storseth.
"Strong self-confidence is unusual in Norway, people
are very shy and modest," says Storseth. "But in Lasker
and many other artists we typically exhibit, there is
strength, openness, discovery."
Tjuvholmen, though, is not just about discovering
magnetic pictorial art. Besides the beauty of just strolling
here, admiring the fjord-dotted waters, the harbor traffic,
or parade of people, there's also sea-food delights to
appreciate.
Particularly at Tjuvholmen Sjomagasin, where the
fortunate can luxuriate alongside their moored boats,
enjoy offerings from the extensive wine list, and feast on
either oysters, blue mussels with ginger, or the charcoal-
grilled lobster. Best of all, there's the chocolate "crunch,"
a medley of caramel, raspberries, sorbet, caramel mixed
with popcorn. It's plate-licking delicious.
After a waterside snack or refreshment, other
recently-opened galleries inspired by the Fearnley-Thief
nexus are well worth visiting. Established in 1961, and long
supportive of Norwegian contemporary artists, Gallerie