Nordic Portraits

Jeannette Ehlers is a Copenhagen-based artist of Danish and Trinidadian descent who works primarily with photography, video, installation, sculpture, and performance. Her practice often makes use of self-representation and image manipulation to explore themes relating to identity, ethnicity and history - namely Denmark’s colonial impact in the Caribbean and participation in the Transatlantic Slave Trade.   Her work has been exhibited extensively both in Denmark and abroad, including most recently, shows at MCA in Chicago and Le Centre Pompidou in Paris.  

Explore more of Jeannette's work at:

www.jeannetteehlers.com

Christian Lemmerz is a sculptor, visual and performance artist who rose to prominence in the mid 1980s as a pivotal member of the Danish artist collective, Værst. He has since garnered widespread recognition internationally for his large-scale marble sculptures and installation work - often depicting religious iconography and exploring themes of death, existence and identity.  He is the recipient of the coveted Thorvaldsen Medallion and a lifetime honorarium from the Danish National Art Council. 

Explore more of Christian's work at:

www.christianlemmerz.com

Teitur is a musician and songwriter hailing from the Farøe Islands, whose 2003 debut album 'Poetry and Airplanes' paved the way for international success and a host of new fans including the likes of John Mayer, Aimee Mann and Rufus Wainwright.  Since then, he has continued to build a strong reputation for his innovative musicianship as well his bold collaborations with fellow musicians, designers and artists.   Last year he was knighted by the Queen of Denmark for his outstanding contribution to the performing arts. 

Explore more of Teitur's work at:

www.teitur.com 

Fryd Frydendahl is an art photographer, who over the past two decades has built an impressive body of work, including a series of deeply personal projects that have resulted in the publishing of critically acclaimed books and exhibitions within Denmark and abroad. Fryd has also made a global name for herself as the creative force behind the visual image of Danish musician Mø and her artwork is included in the collection of the National Museum of Photography.

Explore more of Fryd's work at:

www.frydfydendahl.com  

Adam Price is a screenplay writer, playwright, restaurateur and television chef who burst onto the international scene in 2010 with the Danish political drama Borgen - a DR series that won him a BAFTA award and was subsequently sold to over 90 countries.  Adam is also a major figure in the Scandinavian culinary world - having together with older brother James, helmed 14 successful seasons of the television program Spise med Price.  

Cathrine Raben Davidsen is a visual artist who has, over the past 30 years made a name for herself in Denmark and abroad with her paintings, drawings and ceramic works that explore ancient history as well as modern cultural and philosophical thinking.  Cathrine’s work is represented in numerous prominent museum collections and institutions and amongst the many awards she has received, she was in 2015 appointed Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog by Her Majesty The Queen of Denmark.

Explore more of Cathrine's work at:

www.cathrinerabendavidsen.com 

Le Gammeltoft is a DJ, radio host and entrepreneur who has spent the past two decades exposing Danish audiences to bold new sounds through her dynamic live sets and high-profile radio programs.  In recent years, Le has emerged as one of the leading figures in the national media landscape, having established the digital media company Heartbeats.  

Margrethe Odgaard is a colour and textile designer and artist, who has over the past two decades established herself as Scandinavia’s leading expert in colour.  In 2013, she founded her own studio and has since collaborated with visual artists, musicians, chefs, fashion designers and brands such as Muuto, HAY and Georg Jensen.  In 2016, Margrethe received the prestigious Torsten och Wanja Söderbergs Prize and in 2019 was named Denmark’s Designer of the Year. 

Explore more of Margrethe's work at:

www.margretheodgaard.com

Peter Ravn is a visual artist, designer and music video director, perhaps best known for his figurative paintings that depict male characters placed in awkward positions or difficult situations - serving as a motif for the plight of the modern man.  Peter’s work has been exhibited extensively within Denmark and internationally, including major shows in Rome, Munich and Hanoi as well as in 2011 featuring in the prestigious Biennale in Brescia, Italy. 

Explore more of Peter's work at:

www.peterravn.com

Jenny Wilson is an internationally renowned songwriter & musician known for her bold conceptual albums and uncompromising artistic vision.  Her recent trilogy of albums - Exorcism, Trauma and Mästervarket have been lauded by critics and fans alike as she shares her deeply personal experiences in the most unflinching manner. 

Explore more of Jenny's work at:

www.thejennywilson.com

Carl Krull is a visual artist perhaps best known for his striking drawings and paintings often depicting figures within topographical environments.  His artwork has been exhibited extensively within Denmark and abroad - and more recently, he has been commissioned to complete a number of critically acclaimed, large-scale permanent public works such as sculptures and murals. 

Explore more of Carl's work at:

www.carlkrull.dk

Ditte Ejlerskov is a multi-disciplinary visual artist, whose work explores themes of feminist representation, media literacy and the role that technology plays in society today.  Her sculptures, paintings, digital art and film have been exhibited globally and numerous works have been acquired by prestigious institutions such as Arken Museum for Modern Art, Museum of Art in Sao Paulo and Malmö Art Museum.

Explore more of Ditte's work at:

www.ditteejlerskov.com

Claus Meyer is a culinary entrepreneur, chef, author and television host.  Perhaps best known as the founding father of the New Nordic Cuisine philosophy, Claus has built a culinary empire under the brand of Meyers, which today employs over 800 people and consists of bakeries, delis, cookbooks, catering, cooking schools and much more.  He is also the founder of Copenhagen-based restaurant Noma, which currently boasts three Michelin stars and was recently named the World’s Best Restaurant for a fifth time.

Explore more of Claus' work at:

www.meyers.dk

www.melting-pot.herokuapp.com

Daniel Rye is a photojournalist and lecturer who in 2013 at the age of just 24 years old, was kidnapped in Syria by members of the terror organisation ISIS and held captive for 398 days.  Following his release in 2014, his ordeal was documented in the critically acclaimed book ‘Ser Du Månen, Daniel’ which was later adapted for a film by the same title. 

Explore more of Daniel's work at:

www.danielrye.dk 

Christian Lollike is an award-winning, internationally renowned  playwright and theatre director who has built a strong reputation for boldly exploring social issues, trends and taboos through his work.  In his capacity as Artistic Director at Copenhagen-based theatre company Sort/Hvid - Christian has successfully combined text, sculpture, concerts, opera, ballet and action art as a means of performance.

Explore more of Christian's work at:

www.sort-hvid.dk  

Knud Romer is an author, radio host, lecturer and cultural commentator.  Following a successful career in advertising, Knud turned his attention to writing - releasing his debut novel in 2006 to rapturous praise from critics.  The autobiographical Den Som Blinker er Bange for Døden or as known by its English title ‘Nothing but Fear’ earned him the prestigious Gyldne Laubaer prize and has since been translated into 15 languages.  More recently, Knud released his long awaited follow up memoir Kort Over Paradis or 'Map of Paradise' which was deemed by Berlingske as ‘a modern classic’.

Explore more of Knud's work here:

www.knudromer.com

Nanna Øland Fabricius, better known by her stage name Oh Land, is a musician, songwriter and dancer who burst onto the international scene in 2011 with her critically acclaimed eponymous album.  Since then, she has continued to develop her own unique genre-defying sound... releasing music as a solo artist as well as writing and performing scores for theatre and screen much to the delight of critics and fans alike.   

Explore more of Oh Land's work here:

www.ohlandmusic.com

Claes Bang is an acclaimed actor of both stage and screen, who after building a strong career in Denmark, burst onto the global scene with his leading performance in 2017’s Cannes Palme d’Or winning film, The Square.  He has since been in high demand, landing the titular role of Dracula in the latest BBC series as well as starring in The Burnt Orange Heresy, The Last Vermeer and the much anticipated upcoming epic The Northman - joining a cast including the likes of Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe and Alexander Skarsgaard.   

Michael Kvium is an internationally renowned visual artist perhaps best known for his illustrations and paintings depicting grotesque characters and exploring uncomfortable yet universal themes.  For over four decades, Michael has worked with painting, drawing, sculpture and video - garnering praise from critics and peers alike and resulting in him receiving a number of prestigious awards, including the Eckersberg Medal and Order of the Dannebrog.  

Explore more of Michael's work here:

www.michaelkvium.com

Lilibeth Cuenca Rasmussen is a performance and visual artist perhaps best known for her meticulously staged theatre performances, music videos and raw documentaries.  Her Danish / Filipino heritage plays a large role in her art as her work explores issues of cultural identity, gender, religion and social constructs.  She was part of the Danish group show at the 2011 Venice Biennale with her critically acclaimed piece 'Afghan Hound' and has been awarded the prestigious Eckersberg Medal of Honour for her extraordinary contribution to the artistic landscape in Denmark.

Explore more of Lilibeth's work here:

www.lilibethcuenca.com

Danica Curcic is an acclaimed actor of both stage and screen who became a household name with her Bodil-award winning performance in Bille August’s 2014 film Silent Heart. She has since established herself as a leading name within Denmark and abroad - be it series such as The Bridge, Equinox and Stephen King’s The Mist, through to her theatrical portrayals of Lulu and Joan of Arc.  Her prodigious talent and prolific dedication to the craft culminated in her being awarded the 2020 Danish Crown Prince Couple’s prestigious Culture Award for her ‘tremendous bravery and uncompromising artistic contribution’. 

Claes Bang is an acclaimed actor of both stage and screen, who after building a strong career in Denmark, burst onto the global scene with his leading performance in 2017’s Cannes Palme d’Or winning film, The Square.  He has since been in high demand, landing the titular role of Dracula in the latest BBC series as well as starring in The Burnt Orange Heresy, The Last Vermeer and the much anticipated upcoming epic The Northman - joining a cast including the likes of Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe and Alexander Skarsgaard.   

Tal R is an internationally renowned visual artist, working across a diverse range of media including painting, drawing, textiles and sculpture.  Known for his highly colorful palettes and playful imagery, Tal has forged a name for himself as one of Denmark’s preeminent contemporary artists.  His works have been widely exhibited, including at Cheim & Read in New York, Royal Academy of Art in London and Contemporary Fine Arts in Berlin just to name a few. 

Explore more of Tal's work here:

www.talr.dk 

Jonas Bjerre is a musician and visual artist, best known as the lead singer of Danish alternative rock band Mew.  Since their breakthrough album Frengers was released in 2003, Mew has continued to impress fans and critics worldwide with their constantly evolving sound and bold willingness to push boundaries sonically.  Beyond his work with Mew, Jonas is also an accomplished visual artist and animator, having created the stunning and often fantastical visuals for the band’s live concert experiences as well as the iconic music videos for Mew and other major artists.

Explore more of Jonas' work here:

http://jonasbjerre.com 

Elisabeth Toubro is a renowned sculptor, perhaps best known for her public art pieces including City Fractal in Søren Kierkegaards Plads in Copenhagen and The Squares Well Loop fountain structure in Store Torv in Aarhus.  In addition, Elisabeth has exhibited widely in Denmark and abroad, with her impressive body of work earning her amongst other prizes, the coveted Thorvaldsen Medal and Premio Internazionale di Scultura from the Nivola Foundation in Rome. 

Explore more of Elisabeth's work at:

www.elisabethtoubro.dk

Jacob Holdt is a photographer, writer and lecturer whose seminal book American Pictures, chronicles his 5 years of living as a vagabond in the United States in the 1970s.  The now iconic images from his journey, capture with great intimacy what he experienced whilst living in poor African American communities and urban ghettos as well as documenting his close relationships with white supremacists, convicted murderers, wealthy aristocrats and everything in between.  He has since spent the greater part of the last five decades as a writer and lecturer with a sharp focus on the subject of racism. 

Explore more of Jacob's work at:

www.american-pictures.com 

Nikolaj Hübbe is a globally renowned figure in the world of ballet.  Having forged a career as a young talent at the Royal Danish Ballet, Nikolaj was then pursued to join the prestigious New York City ballet as principal dancer. After wowing audiences and critics alike for over 15 years he returned to the Royal Danish Ballet where he has since 2008 held the esteemed position of Artistic Director or as it is referred to in Denmark, Balletmester.  

Jan Grarup is a globally acclaimed photojournalist who has spent over 25 years covering in great depth, many of the world’s largest conflicts and humanitarian crises.  From Sudan to Somalia and Haiti to the Gaza Strip, his images are intimate, often brutal at times beautiful and always unflinching.  Jan has received no less than eight World Press Photo awards and a string of prizes recognising his long-term contribution to critical humanitarian work.

Explore more of Jan's work at:

https://jangrarup.photoshelter.com

Kira Skov is a critically acclaimed singer songwriter who rose to fame in Denmark as frontwoman of the eponymously titled rock band Kira and the Kindred Spirits.  Known for her diverse range and bold creative collaborations with other artists, Kira has released no less than 14 albums to date.  Including the remarkable 2018 release, 'The Echo Of You' which was written and recorded in the aftermath of the tragic loss of her husband Nicolai.

Explore more of Kira's music at:

www.kiramusic.com

Simone Aaaberg Kærn is a visual artist, filmmaker, activist and aviator.  She is perhaps best known for flying a tiny single prop airplane from Denmark into the heart of war torn Afghanistan which formed the subject for her 2006 documentary ‘Smiling In A War Zone’.  Never a stranger to controversy, Simone was also the artist behind the much-discussed, official portrait of Prime Minister and Nato General Secretary, Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Explore more of Simone's work at:

www.aaberg-kaern.dk

HuskMitNavn ('Remember My Name') is not just Denmark’s most famous street artist… He has also carved out a successful career in the art world with his work on canvas and paper, sculpture, large-scale installations and artbooks.  In spite of his seemingly limitless use of different mediums, his work maintains a consistent playful, observational tone - always with a strong social conscience. 

Explore more of HuskMitNavn's work at:

www.huskmitnavn.dk

Kirstine Roepstorff is a multidisciplinary artist who has spent the better part of the last two decades building a highly successful international career.  From large scale collages incorporating materials like fabrics, cuttings, foil, wood and newspaper, through to creating sculptures in bronze and concrete she has been described as one of the most versatile artists of her generation.  Her work is included in among others, the permanent collection of Museum of Modern Art (New York) and The Saatchi Gallery (London) and in 2017 she represented Denmark at the prestigious 57th Biennale in Venice.

Explore more of Kirstine's work at:

www.kirstineroepstorff.net

Dorte Mandrup is an internationally renowned architect who has earned a reputation for creating structures that have a strong sense of place and a unique sense of materiality.  Having founded her own studio almost 20 years ago, today she leads a studio comprising more than 70 self described 'die-hard overachievers'.  Dorte has recently completed a number of high profile projects on UNESCO heritage sites as well as being the mastermind behind IKEA’s new ambitious Copenhagen urban precinct. 

Explore more of Dorte's work at:

www.dortemandrup.dk

Rose Eken is an internationally acclaimed visual artist working with a range of materials, but perhaps most noted for her use of clay… often to populate spaces with everyday objects that invite and challenge the viewer to remember, reflect and imagine.  Rose has spent the better part of the last decade creating exhibitions that range from reconstructing an artist’s workshop with clay to embroiding drum heads all with exquisite detail. 

Explore more of Rose's work at:

www.roseeken.dk 

Thure Lindhardt is an accomplished actor of both stage and screen who has over the past two decades built a successful international career.  You might know him best as Detective Henrik Sabroe from Danish / Swedish nordic noir crime series The Bridge or as the leading man in modern Danish cinematic gems Flammen og Citronen, Nordkraft and A Place Nearby.  Not to mention his Hollywood career which includes Ron Howard’s Angels and Demons and Sean Penn’s Into the Wild. 

Rasmus Munk is a chef and the mastermind behind Alchemist, one of the most talked about restaurants on the planet today.  Alchemist is a culinary experience unlike any other - a multi-sensory journey through 50 courses to be enjoyed over six hours.  Two Michelin stars and Denmark's 'Restaurant of the Year'... all for a young man still in his 20s.   

Explore the wonderful world of Alchemist 2.0 at:

www.alchemist.dk 

Sharin Foo is a musician and one half of the critically-acclaimed and globally revered indie rock, shoegaze, garage, noise, everything genre-shapeshifting band The Raveonettes.  In the early 2000s, Sharin and her bandmate Sune conquered the US and beyond and have been touring and releasing albums regularly ever since, making them one of Denmark’s most successful musical exports to date.  Sharin has also been involved in a range of  projects beyond music, fuelling her passion for a multi-disciplinary approach to art.   

Søren Solkær is one of Scandinavia's leading art photographers, perhaps best known for his distinctive portraits of musicians - the likes of which include Björk, The White Stripes, The Arctic Monkeys, Amy Winehouse and U2.  Søren has spent the greater part of the last three decades releasing numerous books and exhibiting his work globally.  More recently, Søren has turned his attention to photographing spectacular large murmurations of starlings for BLACK SUN - a project that is already garnering critical acclaim. 

Explore more of Søren's work at:

www.sorensolkaer.com 

Lone Scherfig is a film director and screenplay writer who rose to global acclaim with her 2000 dogma classic Italian for Beginners and has since been responsible for a number of highly successful English language films including the Academy Award nominated An Education (2007), The Riot Club (2014) and Their Finest (2016).  Lone also boasts the honour of being the first ever female director to be invited to conduct the prestigious David Lean Lecture at BAFTA.  

Henrik Vibskov is a leading figure in the world of fashion. A multi-disciplinary artist, primarily working with textiles... and the mastermind behind a successful global fashion brand. Since 2003 he has been a member of the illustrious Chambre Syndicale de la Mode Masculine and is currently the only Scandinavian designer on the official show schedule of the Paris Men’s Fashion Week - a platform he uses to turn heads with his playful, avante-garde and intricate scenography. 

Explore more of Henrik's work at:

www.henrikvibskov.com