Sigvald Asbjørnsen, Sculptor, a new fine-art exhibition, will open at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum and will be on view from September 1, 2011 through September 3, 2012. The opening reception was held Thursday, September 1.
The exhibition explores the life and work of Norwegian-American sculptor Sigvald Asbjørnsen, who lived from 1867 to 1954 and was a well-known figure in Chicago’s Norwegian arts community. Busts, reliefs, and interpretive works are featured in the exhibition, along with the pastel drawings Asbjørnsen preferred in his later years. Most of the pieces on view are from Vesterheim’s collections, with a few from private owners and other institutions, including Luther College and the Marquette Regional History Center. There are also text panels with photos and information about his outdoor sculptures.
The exhibition is on display in the newly renovated gallery on the first floor of the museum’s Main Building. In honor of Sigvald Asbjørnsen, the gallery will be dedicated later as the Asbjørnsen Gallery in a private ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Queen Sonja during the visit of Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Norway in October.
The exhibition is sponsored by a bequest from Helen M. Heitmann, a granddaughter of the artist.
The museum is located at 523 W. Water St., Decorah, IA 52101. For complete schedules of events, exhibitions, and classes, and more information about ways to donate, check out Vesterheim online at vesterheim.org.