Art is a way to express different facets of life, and as an art museum, we want to discuss various social issues through art.
We aim to use works from the museum's own collection, works that may not necessarily be displayed in the current collection exhibition, but where the artist has chosen to express or comment on a topic of social importance. In an increasingly polarised society, where the debates often are online and faceless, we need more spaces for public discussion.
On two Wednesday evenings this fall, you can join conversations about current societal topics:
- November 19th: Environmental perspectives on a world in decline
- December 10th: Queer Lines
The event is included in the entrance ticket. The program is a collaboration between Tonsberg and Færder Library and Haugar Art Museum and it is supported by Fritt Ord.
Queer Perspectives, 10th December:
Celebrate, cheer, avoid, steer clear, point fingers, or tick a box?
Most people agree that diversity and minority perspectives are important. But the barriers that limit minorities’ space for expression are as numerous as the motives and methods for expanding it. This evening’s conversation invites the audience into an honest, vulnerable, and courageous space where Frederick Nathanael from Pride Art, Eivind Breilid from Balansekunst, and sanctuary writer Wesam Almadani share their own experiences with barriers and thresholds, risks and costs, victories and breakthroughs in the work to expand the expressive space for queer artists.
In an increasingly polarized society, where much of the debate takes place online and without face-to-face interaction, we need more arenas for public discussion. Haugar Art Museum and Tønsberg and Færder Library have jointly organized the thematic conversation series Art and Freedom of Expression.
This is the final conversation in the 2025 series.
Wesam Almadani
Wesam Almadani is a writer and activist, born in 1983 in Sudan. They lived in Egypt until the Oslo Accords were signed, after which they moved with their family to Gaza.
Almadani is the first City of Refuge writer in Larvik and Vestfold. They say it is their duty to give a voice to lesbians in the Middle East.
Pride Art was established in 2001 under the name Skeive kunstnere (Queer Artists). It is a nationwide volunteer organization that gathers both established and emerging queer artists in a collective that aims to promote queer contemporary art and cultural history throughout the country. The association is represented tonight by board member, artist, curator, and psychotherapist Frederick Nathanael.
Balansekunst is a membership organization for cultural institutions working toward a more equal and diverse cultural sector. Balansekunst is represented tonight by Eivind Breilid, museologist, communicator, and membership advisor.
Environmental perspectives in a world on the rise, 19th November:
This evening you will meet artist Emma Arnold and forest biologist Trude Myhre.
Welcome to a discussion on how art and science can collaborate to increase interest and provide new perspectives on climate and environmental issues.