Talks with Sverre Strandenes and Morten Spjøtvold

Welcome to the season opening at the Hardanger Folk Museum on Sunday, May 3 at 5:00 PM. We offer lectures on the woodcarver and stylistic pioneer Lars Kinsarvik and on the rosemaler (decorative painter) and versatile artist Gunnar A. Aarekol, along with musical accompaniment by fiddler Arne Fykse. The program will take place in the exhibition Decoration on Wood, and the café will also be open. The lectures will be in Norwegian. The museum and café are open all day, from 10:00 AM.

Lars Kinsarvik

Lars Trondsson Kinsarvik (1846–1925) is known as the creator of the Norwegian style, or the “dragon style” in woodcarving, and had a major influence on how Norwegian woodcarving developed around the turn of the last century. He was especially inspired by medieval woodcarving, stave church portals, legends, and sagas. Kinsarvik received many decorative commissions and was represented at several exhibitions in Norway and abroad, including the World Exhibition in Paris in 1899.

The lecture on Kinsarvik will be given by Morten Spjøtvold. He is an art historian and curator at KODE in Bergen, with particular responsibility for furniture, glass, and jewelry art.

Gunnar Aarekol

Gunnar Arnfinnson Aarekol (1784–1855) was a rosemaler, especially known for his distinctive roses with four large petals. Under Provost Niels Hertzberg, he learned both German and Latin, as well as bookbinding, and worked as a regular bookbinder for Hertzberg and other officials. Aarekol was interested in astronomy, cultivated fruit and tobacco, and started a bakery.

The lecture Gunnar Arnfinnson Aarekol – an active and unique rural artist from Hardanger will be given by Sverre Strandenes. He has published several books, including A Journey Among Rose Painters in Hardanger (2025).

Arne Fykse

Lars Kinsarvik was also a fiddler. Folk music archivist and musician Arne Fykse will perform tunes associated with Kinsarvik and share engaging stories.