The Emergence Of Oslo, Norway As Scandinavia’s Artistic Hub

Oslo is well known for its unique skyline, from Oslo City Hall to Oslo Cathedral, Nobel Peace Center, and the Norwegian Opera & Ballet with its slanted exterior rising out of the harbor, inviting visitors to walk on its roof. Something newfangled, however, is brewing along the fjord, which is good news for anyone interested in art.

You’ll notice the avant-garde trendsetting art right away when you walk through the doors of THE THIEF, a waterfront Nordic Hotels & Resorts luxury property in Oslo, Norway that offers entrancing guest experiences. Located on the ever-evolving Thief Island, or the district of Tjuvholmen—the city’s new cultural hub situated near the downtown area, THE THIEF’s permanent collection has been smartly curated by Sune Nordgren, a Swedish art historian and the former director of Norway’s National Museum of Art. Each of the guest rooms and suites have original artwork created by established as well as rising artists, handpicked by Nordgren. In-room televisions creatively showcase “Art-on-Demand” functionality.

A member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection, you can expect this property to operate with a high level of service, granting access to a top-notch lineup of food and beverage offerings—THIEF RESTAURANT is a clever choice to sample elevated Scandinavian flavors, a rooftop terrace, a fitness center, a wellness area and spa, and complimentary admission to Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art.

The art collection is the nucleus for the interior design throughout the property, from the floor-to-ceiling windows that allow for natural light to the velvety chairs, warm décor, and ambient illumination. In fact, the thoughtful touches don’t stop there—even the woolen blankets and slippers, made from high-quality Norwegian wool, are special. Interior designer, Anemone Wille Vage has focused on creating rich contrasts full of texture, with nods to the location’s maritime history and purpose.

With the Oslo Fjord and neighboring glass and steel modern architecture as your theatrical milieu, you’ll be eager to set out on foot to explore this art-forward district where national funding for the arts has been a priority.

Nearby art galleries and studios not to be missed include: Fineart Oslo, Gerhardsen Gerner, Gallery Semmingsen, Galleri Brandstrup, Peder Lund, Gallery Haaken, and Pushwagner Gallery.

And, of course, no trip to Oslo is complete for art lovers without exploring the 13 floors of masterpieces at the MUNCH Museum, home to three viewable versions—a painting, drawing, and print—of Edvard Munch’s The Scream. While still within walking distance, the MUNCH Museum is a mile and a half away from THE THIEF, or about 30 minutes on foot. The MUNCH Museum houses the largest collection of art created by Edvard Munch—over 200 works are on permanent display.

It’s quite possible to create an entire itinerary for the art lover in mind, including in Oslo’s outdoor spaces. The Vigeland Museum not only has a massive collection of Gustav Vigeland’s art where you can see plaster originals indoors, but also, Vigeland Park features over 200 large-scale sculptures in granite, bronze, and wrought iron outdoors. The greatest alfresco sculpture park in the world, with art created by a single artist, Vigeland Park is a top tourist attraction in Oslo. The sculpture park, located in the Frogner Park, is free to visit and its open year-round—be sure to see The Angry Boy, The Monolith, and The Wheel of Life.

With THE THIEF as your home base, see why Oslo is rapidly emerging as Scandinavia’s next art capital, especially with the openings of the MUNCH Museum (October, 2021) and the new National Museum (June, 2022), the largest art museum in the Nordic countries featuring modern, contemporary, and classic art as well as architecture and design.