Greenlandic visual artists



	"Stone and Man"

Hans Lynge – the father of Greenlandic visual arts
An important Greenlandic artist and multi-artist was Hans Lynge (1906-1988) who, with his academic artistic background and versatility, played an important role in the development of a dynamic artistic culture. He was among the originators of Greenland’s first art school and was indeed its head for a number of years. Among Hans Lynge’s most well-known works are the wooden reliefs in the parliament chamber in Greenland and the tapestries of Hans Lynge’s paintings in Nuuk’s city council chamber, in addition to numerous paintings, sculptures, literary illustrations and various literary works. It is not for nothing that Hans Lynge is known as the father of Greenlandic visual arts.

Aka Høegh – cultural ambassador of Greenland
Aka Høegh is another important artist who has a long artistic career behind her. Aka Høegh’s importance as a cultural ambassador has been invaluable for decades. Her numerous exhibitions have helped to put Greenland on the world map and have demonstrated that there is a particular Greenlandic culture and identity. She is the first internationally renowned female artist and one of just a handful of professional artists. Greenland’s nature and the human face are her primary sources of inspiration.



	Julie Edel Hardenberg

Stone and man in Qaqortoq
Among many other activities, Aka Høegh was the instigator of the stone sculpture project ‘Stone and man’, which took place in Qaqortoq in 1993-94. For two summers, 18 Scandinavian artists carved reliefs and sculptures out of granite rocks and stones throughout the town. In this way the local community got involved and the artists got an immediate response to their works. Aka Høegh herself carved several works and Qaqortoq was thereby blessed with a unique attraction that has resulted in many visitors. Aka Høegh has also decorated several churches and the Institute of Nature in Nuuk, and remains a highly productive artist.

From visual arts to installations and photography
Today there are both highly qualified and self-taught artists who are successful in terms of their artistic activities. A number of artists in Greenland are moving in the direction of more modern expression with the message as the key element in their art. A good example of this is Julie Edel Hardenberg, who provokes questions by tackling current themes such as feelings of identity and diversity in society, primarily through installation art and photography. Julie has published several books and in spite of her young age already has an impressive artistic career behind her.