CV (en) — Merete Sejersted Bødtker

Short biography:

I grew up in an environment rich in artworks, but a profession in art was not an obvious choice. My thoughtful father once said to me – if I would just learn touch typing I could become a great secretary! Later however, he would express perplexity as to why I didn’t do more drawing and painting… this , however, was after he helped me transport and mount large sculptures in an exhibition in Stockholm.

My grandparents’ art collection was extensive and dominated by art from the interwar years. Grandma had studied at the Royal Drawing School in Kristiania (Oslo) and an art school in Paris and she maintained a large circle of friends and acquaintances. In addition to the sizeable house with walls crowded in paintings there was a private gallery at Holmenkollen with several rooms of art and a large art storage room. As kids we ran about on the extensive Persian rug in the gallery. Grandfather’s office was called the Balke Room. The pictures in there were very small. Lots of stories and anecdotes circulate about Ingeborg (nee: Beer) and Johannes Mathias Sejersted Bødtker – sometimes they would buy up entire art exhibitions.

Following a basic course in drawing, forms and colors the proverbial penny dropped and I commenced my life connected with clay. It began with working clay for crafts, making useful objects – while simultaneously more of my attention focused on drawing techniques. It was so immediately satisfying! Moreover, starting up a ceramics workshop with a potter’s wheel and kiln, etc. seemed overwhelming. That was then. Now I even have a huge old cast iron kneading machine weighing 240 kg!

I have my education from several countries. From Reykjavik, Oslo and New York. I was fortunate to receive a solid introduction to form and space with modelling at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry under the sculptor and instructor Eilif Mikkelsen. This laid the groundwork for further studies at the Academy (Ref. Åse Markussen’s book Akademiet gjennom 100 år). In New York I was given a scholarship and completed my Masters degree – before these degrees were incorporated by Norwegian colleges and universities as part of the country’s internationalization of educational frameworks.

Clay and drawing are the pillars of my work.

Curriculum Vitae - Merete Sejersted Bødtker - Org. nr. 989 670 174

EDUCATION:

1991/93 Master of Fine Arts The New York Academy of Figurative Art. NY.
1988/91 Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry (SHKS), Oslo
from 1980 SHKS Form & Skrift og Modellér Form & Lettering and Modelling under Eilif Mikkelsen 3 years (Part-time guest student).
1979/80 Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry (SHKS), Oslo. Second year in Ceramics.
1978/29 Myndlista og Handidaskolinn. (Icelandic Art College), Reykjavik, 1 year
1977/78 Drawing, form and color, Elisenberg High School

COMPETITIONS AND AWARDS:

2011 Winner, competition, Monument of Olav Selvaag, Tjuvholmen, Oslo
2011 Winner, competition, Architect/City Conductor Christian Heinrich Grosch, Oslo Municipality’s gift/University of Oslo 200th Anniversary
2006 Winner, competition for a monument and bust of Halldis Moren Vesaas, Åmot in Vinje, The Norwegian Theater and Trysil Municipality.
1998 2 portrait prizes, Ceylon Society of the Arts at the National Gallery, Sri Lanka

ART IN PUBLIC SPACES:

2024 Marit Bjørgen, the most decorated Olympic Campion, Støren Culturehouse. Midtre Gauldal.
2023 Monument Bishop Rosemarie Köhn, Hamar Cathedral
2021 Monument Ingrid Wigernæs and Jentut’n, Hemsedal
2021 Hans Aleksander Hansen, portrait-statue Unionpark, Drammen
2021 Portrait of Per Sivle, Sogndal Folk High School
2018 Monument, portrait and bas-relief, Aase Nordmo Løvberg, Målselv
2018 Jotuntoppen bo- og omsorgssenter, Elverum
2017 Mørkved School, Brumunddal
2017 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi/Daw Khin Kyi Foundation and the National League for Democracy, Myanmar
2017 Byste Asbjørn Halvorsen, Sarpsborg Football Club
2016 War Monument, Mjøndalen Train Station
2015 Aase Nordmo Løvberg, bas-relief, tombstone Ringsaker Church, Moelv
2015 Dinosaurs bronze sculptures, Bjørnåsen Condominiums, (Selvaag), Oslo
2012 Monument of Olav Selvaag, Olav Selvaags plass, Tjuvholmen, Oslo.
2011 Architect Christian Heinrich Grosch, University of Oslo
2010 Per Sivle, Monument and portrait, Papirbredden, Drammen Public Library and Office of the Mayor
2008 Torger Iverstugun monument, Skåbu, Nord-Fron Municipality
2007 Halldis Moren Vesaas monument Åmot, Vinje, Telemark
2007 Portrett, Halldis Moren Vesaas. Foyer, The Norwegian Theater
2007 Portrett, Haldis Moren Vesaas. Library, Trysil Municipality
2004 Henki Kolstad, portrait DS Louise
2003 Albert Nordengen portrait. DS Louise
2003/04 Norwegian Regents, Olav den Hellige (St. Olaf) and Håkon Håkonsson. Royal Mint, Kongsberg
2003 “Norne” FLO/ IKT. Reception, The Norwegian State Administration Database
2002 Sofiemyråsen boligsameie (Condo complex), Selvaagbygg
2000 Monumental portrait of Arne Fjørtoft, WIF’s HQ in Battaramulla, Sri Lanka, Dr. Lin Mui Kiang - Malaysia
1997 Tyrone Abeygunewardene. Portrait, Young Asia Television, Sri Lanka
1995 Lusetjern School, Oslo Municipality (duplicate)
1995 Wrought iron sculpture. F/V Aretousa. Minoan Lines/Greece, International Corporate Art
1994 Selvaagbygg, Moss (duplicate)
1994 Televerket. In-house sculpture prize (total of 75 + 3 pcs).
1988 Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, (Ås)
1983 Flekkefjord Shipyard, Main Office
1982 /83 M/S RIG SEISMIC and M/S RIG MASTER, seismic research ships, Fiskerstrand and Eldøy, Ålesund

Solo EXHIBITIONS:

2024 The Storehouse Gallery, Stomperud farm, Sør-Odal
2020 Kragerø Art Association
2016 Hamar House of Culture
2015/16 Rackstad Museum, Wärmland County, Sverige
2015 Moren-Room, Trysil Public Library
2009 Sørkedalen Church, Oslo
2009 Kunstgaten, Hvaler City Hall
2008 Bak Fasaden, Festival exhibitor Skåtøy, Kragerø
2004 Galleri TiK, Kongsberg
2003 Kragerø Church
2002 Clodion Art Café, Oslo
2001 From New York to Sri Lanka, Galleri X, Son
2001 Fra New York to Sri Lanka, Galleri G, Bærum
1999 Paradise Road Galleries, Colombo, Sri Lanka
1992 Ceramic sculpture, Norwegian Trade Council, New York. NY
1989 Café Elise, Oslo
1989 Casa España/Instituto Cervantes, Oslo

GROUP EXHIBITIONS, PROJECTS, FESTIVALS - INTERNATIONAL:

2018 DUO-Exhibition with Sonny Nyein, Beikthano Gallery, Yangon, Myanmar
2013 Art Plus Art Gallery, sculptor sculpts sculptor, Yangon, Myanmar
2008 4 impressions, Creek Art, Bastakyia, Dubai
2008 Palmyra festival, Palmyra-Damascus, Syria. Danish/Norwegian/Syrian workshop and exhibition
2003 Konstnärnas Kollektiv Verkstad, Bohus County, Sweden
1999 “Contemporary Sculpture of Sri Lanka” The National Art Gallery, George Keyth Foundation.
1998 111th Annual Exhibition, National Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka
1996 “KJØL” Järva Folkets Park, Stockholm
1993/92 “Take Home A Nude”, New York Academy, USA
1993 Sugarhill, Cultural Enrichment Gallery, New York, NY.

PURCHASED/REPRESENTED:

National League for Democracy HQ Yangon, Myanmar
Royal Norwegian Ministry of Culture, Oslo
Mørkved School, Brumunddal
University of Oslo
Voksen and Bogstad Elementary schools
American-Scandinavian Foundation, New York
Nansen Fund Inc., Texas
Selvaag Eiendom, Oslo, Moss, Tjuvholmen
The Thief, Tjuvholmen, Oslo
Oslo Municipal Art Collections
Colosseum-Klinikken, Oslo
Svenska Bostäder, Stockholm
Anthon B Nilsen Real Estate, Oslo
“DS Louise” Aker Brygge
Private collections in USA, Switzerland, Germany, Sri Lanka, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Syria, Sweden, Spain and Norway

GROUP EXHIBITIONS, PROJECTS, FESTIVALS IN NORWAY:

2022 Hvaler kunstforening
2021 Ringebu Vicarage 5 June - 12 September
2021 Exhibition Karmøy Art Association with Jacob Bødtker
2020 Duo exhibition with Jacob Bødtker at Kikutstua, Nordmarka, Oslo
2018 Sommer exhibitions Norwegian Sculptors Society (NBF)
2018 Kunstfestivalen/ Kunstbanken Hamar
2017 Galleri Fjordheim, Oppland
2017 Refsnes Gods, Moss
2016 Tre Galleri Natthagen, Løten NK Øst
2016 Galleri Oro, Rena, duo-exhibition with Tiina Suhonen
2015 Waterproof, NK Øst, Hamar House of Culture / Oppland Art Centre, Lillehammer
2015/16 Galleri Løkkebakken, Kragerø
2015 Tapt Matjord ER tapt for alltid (Lost agricultural soil is lost forever), CAN/Concerned Artists Norway
2021/14/12/05 Jomfruland exhibition, Kragerø Municipality
2013 Galleri Oro, Martens exhibition, Elverum
2012 Natthagen Galleri, Løten, NK-Øst
2012/11 Summer exhibitions. Norwegian Sculptors Society (NBF)
2011/08/06 Galleri Nes, Seljord
2010 Exhibition staged by NBF
2008/09 Aker Brygge/Trosterud parken (NBF)
2014/08/07 Vinje exhibition
2007 Sommer exhibition, Achantus, Risør
2005 Galleri Roenland, Jevnaker
2005 NBF Summer Exhibitions, Svelvik, Sandefjord, Gjøvik
2004 NBF Summer Exhibitions, Ski, Moss, Sandefjord
2004 Svelvik Municipality’s Summer Exhibition
2004 Small sculptures, Norwegian Sculptors Society, Hekkveien
2003/05/09 Oslo Open, Joint Studio at StorO
2003 “SKULPTUR 2003” Aker Brygge
2003 Galleri Roenland 15-year-Anniversary, Jevnaker
2003 Sculpture of the Month NBF, Ski-Moss-Drøbak
2002 Galleri X, Son
2002 Galleri G, Bærum
2002/98/96 Galleri Løkkebakken, Kragerø (model in gallery 02)
2001 “Engler” Themed exhibition at Elogel, Skien
2001/00/97 Sculpture parade Karl Johan, NBF
2001 Eidfjord Municipality, "Skulptur i Regn" NBF
2000 Høyanger Municipality, Outdoor sculpture. NBF
2000 Huus Libris, Førde; NBF
2000 Follo - exhibition, Ås Kunstforening
2000 Bærums Verk, NBF
1998 Selvaag’s Collection, Momentum, Nordic festival of Contemporary Art, Kanalparken, Moss.
1996 NBF’s 50-year jubilee exhibition, Henie-Onstad Art Centre, Høvikodden
1994 “Norsk Skulptur 1994”, Galleri Roenland, Jevnaker
1992 Summer exhibition, Skulpturparken i Sauherad, NBF
1991 Summer exhibition, Eidfjord, NBF
1991 “Sculpture of the Month” Oslo NBF

STIPEND/scholarship:

2016 Ingrid Lindbäck Langaard’s Foundation
2015 Arts Council Norway, Exhibition stipend
2015 Bergesen Foundation, support for exhibition catalogue/artist presentation
2015 Letterstedtska Föreningen. Exhibition stipend
2015 Arts Council Norway, support for exhibition catalogue/artist presentation
1999 NBK Start-up stipend (NOK 30,000)
1992 Andrew E. & G. Norman Wigeland Fund, American-Scandinavian Foundation. USA
1991/92 Andy Warhol Scholarship, New York Academy of Art. USA
1991/92 John Dana Archbold Fellowship, Nansen Fund Inc. Texas. USA
1991 Kong Haakon VII’s Scholarship, Norway - America Association
1991 The British Council Fellowship Award, (Scholarship unused)
1991 State stipend candidate, Italy Spain and Greece, (not utilized)
1990 Ingrid Lindbäck Langgaard ‘s Fund, travel grant

POSITIONS OF TRUST:

2019/22 Board Member, Norwegian Association for Arts and Crafts (NK) Innlandet County
2014/15 Deputy member, Association of Norwegian Visual Arts (NBK)’s Stipend Committee
2009 Jury member, Lørenskog Municipality, sculpture competition
2006/08 Nomination committee and deputy member NBF’s board
2005/07 NBK’s central board, deputy representative.
2005 Representative Hedmark County’s stipend committee
2004/06 Representative NBK’s national stipend committee.
2003 Jury member for KORK symbol sculpture competition
2002/04 Board member Norwegian Sculptors Society
2000/02 Board member Norwegian Sculptors Society
2000 Jury member, NBF /Oslo Society of the Arts
1989/91 Observer, NBF ‘s board for associated members.

Curator/Exhibition Responsibility:

Sculpture 2005 and 2006, Aker Brygge, Oslo /Galleri Kjeldaas/Norwegian Sculptors Society

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

2007-10 Initiated and completed a school development project for The Cultural Schoolbag: “How a jar is made” and “How I see you”.

The project was developed specially for grades 5 to 7 at Sørkedalen School and for the opening of the new Markaskolen.

1984/90 Illustrations and book cover for Tiden Norsk Forlag/Bokklubben, Tano A/S, Oktober Forlag, Illustrations for Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK), BarneTV
Assistant for the sculptor Skule Waksvik
1981/82 Substitute in the painting galleries National Theatre and The Norwegian Theater
1981 Intern with the potter Margrethe von der Lippe, Oslo
1980 Taught evening course in ceramics, Oslo AOF
1978/81 Summer intern with the potter Jorunn Bråthen, Fredrikstad

SEMINARIES/WORKSHOP/COURSES:

2013 “Sculptor sculpts sculptor” Art plus Art Gallery, Yangon, Burma/Myanmar
2005 “Prosess 2005” wood burning, Risør
2004 Wood burning in Anagamaovn, Risør Arttforum with Ole Morten Rokvam
2003 Writing course/art criticism with Gard Frisvold
2002 Bronze casting, ceramic shell casting technique under David Reid
2001 KhiO, Computer course, general introduction and use of Photoshop

STUDY TRAVELS/RESIDENCES ABROAD:

2018 Myanmar -Charity auction for non-profit NGO Daw Khin Kyi Foundation promoting the health and education of those in need - Regardless of ethnicity, race or religion. Bronze portrait sold for 2.5 times the starting price – fetching USD $80,000

2013 Yangon, Burma/Myanmar. Portrait of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
2003 Bali, Indonesia
2001 Initiator of sculpture exhibition “Between Space and Time” with the last exhibition at Scandinavia House, New York (12 September 2001)
1996-99 Atelier Thalawathugoda, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka.
1995 Chiang Mai, Thailand (Worldview Conference)
1991-93 Master’s degree, New York
1991 Spain, (Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts)
1989 Egypt, (Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts)
1980 4-month study residency in Italy (Florence, Sicily and the International Museum of Ceramics, Faenza)
1978/79 Studies in Iceland, Myndlista and Handidaskolinn, Reykjavik
1975/76 Language studies in Rougemont, Switzerland,
1972/73 England, Isle of Wight.

SELECTION COVERAGE IN NEWSPAPERS, RADIO AND TV ABROAD:
MEMBERSHIP: Norwegian Sculptors Association (NBF) Association of Norwegian Visual Artists (NBK)
Visual Artists in Oslo and Akershus (BOA)
The Norwegian Association for Arts and Crafts (NK/NKI)
BONO (Norwegian Visual Artists Copyright Society)

Norwegian org # 989 670 174