Why is Aarhus a special place to live and work as an artist? One of the reasons Aarhus is such a great city for up-and-coming artists is the many creative workspaces the city offers. Aarhus has a special atmosphere and the city is like a playground for many of the local artists.
This year Aarhus was also named as the European Capital of Culture 2017. According to me that is not such a bad choice! In Aarhus you can find a lot of different cultural experiences because of the wide selections of creative shops, institutions and workspaces. Many of the local artists are also present in these places.
I have chosen a handful of my favourite local artists from Aarhus. You can read about them below and see their galleries here on Artboost.
Experience the magic with Joanna Jensen
Joanna Jensen is an illust rator, Art Historian and watarcolor alchemist. Looking at her art is like going into a magical universe, which is why her own description of her style is "surreal, dreamy and experimental". Joanna gives Aarhus city a lot of credit for helping her to become the person and artist she is today:
"Aarhus has an amazing environment for upcoming artists, and it is a city full of super talented young artists."
One of the places in Aarhus where you can experience Joanna Jensen is at FindersKeepers at Godsbanen. It's a design market where many creative designers invite people into their universe and sell their art.
You can also buy Joanna's amazing artwork here on Artboost. You can find her gallery right here.
See more of Joanna Jensen's work here.
Experimental and intuitive art by Iris Bakker
Iris Bakker is an incredible up-and-coming artist from Aarhus. Her work is intuitive and all about making in the process. She is very experimental and sometimes she makes her audience co-creators of the art. For Iris art is all about interaction between people and see where the process is going.
In October 2017 Iris has been working at ARoS Art Museum in ARoS Public Atelier. The Studio is a place where different artist have a "take-over" for one month where they work in the studio and introduce the audience for their style and work process as an artist.
If you get a change to see Iris in the creative process - don't miss it! Also go check out her artwork here on Artboost. You can find her gallery here.
See more of Iris Bakker's work here.
Paintings of Aarhus by Sarah Høi
Sarah Høi is known for her beautiful and colorful oil paintings of cities. She started her own gallery – Galleri Art Expo – in the age of 21. The gallery is filled with lots of different art including Sarah’s own paintings of Aarhus city. The paintings of Aarhus city are very unique because to Sarah Aarhus is not just at city but a common feeling:
“Aarhus is an amazing city. We got the coolest facilities and creative institutions. I am
known for my motives of Aarhus city but Aarhus is not just a city. It is a
common feeling and an identity – not only in the city but in many areas in
Denmark. “
If you want to discover more of Sarah’s colorful oil paintings, you can see her Artboost gallery right here.
See more of Sarah Høi's work here.
Camilla Gabriele’s amazing captures of nature
Camilla Gabriele is a photographer and especially fascinated with nature and its processes. Her style is very intuitive and organic with inspiration from nature and everyday life. She always brings her camera and notebook so she doesn’t miss an idea or a capture of a composition.
One of the places you can discover Camilla’s beautiful captures of nature is also at FindersKeepers at Godsbanen. If you can’t wait until the next event, you can always check out and buy Camilla’s artwork at her Artboost gallery right here.
See more of Camilla Gabriele's work here.
Exploring the creative universe with Signe Kisbye
Next amazing up-and-coming artist is Signe Kisbye. Signe doesn't have a specific style but is still finding it by exploring lots of different techniques, skills and materials. She finds inspiration everywhere she goes and when she finally gets a good idea there isn't long time before the artwork is done.
Signe also finds inspiration in Aarhus from all the creative things and inspiring people. She likes the mood of the city: "It’s alive but still calm and cozy".
You can see Signe's gallery on Artboost right here.
See more of Signe Kisbye's work here.
Inspirational artist Henrik Larsen Kirkeby
Last and final artist is Henrik Larsen Kirkeby. He is not from Aarhus but Vejle city which is located south from Aarhus. Still, he deserves a spot in this article because his artwork is very recognizable because of his originality.
Henrik is known for his incredible acrylic portraits. He is ever evolving and exploring trying to challenge his personal style, which is why he works freely without a "final plan" when he starts up new work.
"Letting artwork evolve and taking risks in the process is a huge part of my work. I often find it in the chaos and wildness of the strokes that the true creativeness is unleashed."
You can see Henrik's amazing acrylic portraits in his Artboost gallery right here.
See more of Henrik Larsen Kirkeby's work here.
Find your local art on Artboost
If you couldn't get enough local art reading this article, you can read our extended interviews with each artist following these links below. Otherwise just go for at walk in Aarhus city, and you will be amazed with creative shops, institutions and workshops.
