Biography and exhibitions

FRØYDIS AARSETH

Frøydis Aarseth (b. 1986) is a classically trained artist. In 2005 she graduated from high school with a specialization in art. In 2006 she left for Italy to study at the Florence Academy of Art where she spent three years studying classical realism. After the academy, she continued her studies in Paris, France under the direction of Odd Nerdrum.

Frøydis grew up in Vevring next to the Førdefjord. This affected her choice of themes. She painted, mountains, fjords and figures out in the cold Norwegian winter. Today, however, she is more influenced by Political Unrest, climate, and environmental problems. She paints this subtly into her compositions, which has changed her paintings to become more dramatic and eye-catching. The shift in her choice of themes came in 2017, due to a whale that stranded outside Sotra in Norway with its belly full of plastic. Inspired by the plastic problem, Frøydis painted 'Plastic Breakthrough', a painting that has won several awards and was exhibited at Sotheby's in New York, USA.

Frøydis has had exhibitions both domestically and abroad and her paintings have been published in several magazines. One of them is KUNST, Scandinavia’s largest art magazine. She has also received multiple international awards. In July 2023 she sold her painting 'The Shelter' at an auction at Sotheby's in New York, USA. 'The Shelter' was also included in a time capsule that was permanently placed at the surface of the moon in February 2024. The time capsule represents humanity's creativity for the future.

Frøydis has worked as a full-time artist since 2011 and runs her own Art School at Strusshamn Senter in Askøy, Norway.

Education:

2010: Apprentice of Odd Nerdrum

2006-2009: The Florence Academy of Art, Firenze, Italy

2002-2005: Tegning, form og farge, Art high school in Jølster, Norway

Work: Teacher at Aarseth Malerskole, Strusshamn in Askøy, Norway

Awards:

2023:

Frøydis Aarseth painting ‘The Shelter’ won the FWSD (Fashion Week San Diego) Award and was on display at Sotheby’s in New York.

FWSD designer Sierra Mitchell was matched with Aarseths artwork and created an original couture outfit inspired by 'The Shelter'. The ARC Salon winning works along with the specially designed garments were on display with live models at a special event while the 16th ARC Salon Exhibition was on view at Sotheby's in New York City.

As part of the award, an image of Aarseths painting was allso included in the Lunar Codex time capsule to be placed permanently on the south pole of the moon, launched by SpaceX as part of a NASA-related mission. The time capsule was placed at the surface of the moon Februay 2024.

Additionally, Aarseths original painting was part of the International ARC Salon Exhibition and auction at Sotheby's NY. 'The Shelter' sold at the auction.

2019:

FWSD Award from The Art Renewal Center. Aarseth’s painting ‘Plastic Breakthrough’ won the FWSD (Fashion Week San Diego) Award and was on display at Sotheby’s in New York!

A selected FWSD designer, designed an original couture outfit inspired by the painting.

Scholarships:

2010, 2011, 2012 Three year scholarship from the energy company Sogn og Fjordane Energi.

Organisation memberships:

The Portrait Society of America

IGOR - The International Guild Of Realism

KFS - Foreningen for Klassisk Figurativ Samtidskunst

Grand Art Commissions

January 2023: Frøydis was commissioned to decorate the entire, new 5th floor at Scandic Sunnfjord Hotel & SPA with her paintings. That is 44 rooms, 2 suites and a corridor, a total of 155 paintings.

March 2022: Frøydis was commissioned to decorate a 6 x 7-meter big wall outside the new Sunnfjordhall at Scandic Sunnfjord Hotel & SPA, she was assigned the theme Sunnfjord and was free to paint what she wanted within this theme. Frøydis painted "The Thought Cloud" measuring 200 x 250 cm, this was photographed and enlarged on the big wall. The original painting can be seen at the same floor as the Sunnfjordhall.