Welcome to an immersive experience based on Bendik Riis’s painting Six Pears from 1950.
Bendik Riis (1911–1988) was a Norwegian painter, draughtsman, and poet who developed a distinctive and deeply personal artistic practice, shaped by both national motifs and profoundly autobiographical narratives. He grew up in poverty in the town of Fredrikstad and experienced several traumatic events during his childhood. In particular, his family’s eviction from their home and his own experiences at Gaustad Hospital had a significant impact on his art.
Riis was recognized late in his career, but eventually attained a position as a leading colorist and, among other achievements, represented Norway at the Venice Biennale in 1984.
The painting Six Pears (1950) is a still life realised in oil on board. The work was exhibited at the Autumn Exhibition in 1952, where it attracted attention for its distinctive expression.
In this production, you are invited to step into the painting through light, sound, and movement. The aim is to bring the motif to life and to highlight the space, atmosphere, and figures that define this distinctive work.