Art Integrated into Place, Experience, and Hospitality
Site-specific artworks, crafted editions, and long-term collaborations across hospitality venues, private patrons, and public space.
Kystliv – Kræmer Brygge, Tromsø
Site- specific public art commission
Kurator Kristin Solstad, KunstsentralenNord 2018
Coastlife is a site-specific art project developed for Kræmer Brygge in Tromsø, a prestigious commercial building commissioned by Kræmer Eiendom AS and home to approximately 700 employees. The artworks are integrated into the building’s shared public areas and reflect the importance of coastal culture in Northern Norway – from fishing, trade, and maritime livelihoods to contemporary urban development.
My contribution to the project consists of relief works in oak with gold enamel details, where the fish serves as a recurring symbol of regional resources, identity, and historical connections to Europe. The artworks form part of a larger, cohesive artistic installation that creates a dialogue between architecture, history, and contemporary art.
Other artist
Bjørn Elvenes
Hanne Synnøve Nilsen
Made In Lofoten
2019
Site- specific public art commission
Svolvær, Lofoten
The art piece “MADE IN LOFOTEN” reflects our national coastal culture and the heritage of cod fishing in Lofoten. The expression is built on strong contrasts, much like Lofoten itself. The map of Lofoten is hidden inside the belly of the cod. The fish is skrei — a migratory cod whose name means “to move forward,” symbolizing movement, heritage, and survival. The artwork invites physical interaction. By stepping underneath the cod, visitors can appear to lift the skrei — turning the moment into a shared experience between art, place, and people.
Special thanks to Julie C. Drechsler at Cetho Eiendom for supporting the art throughout the entire process. Thanks also to Alti Svolvær for contributing to making this project possible.
Edelkreps
Privat commission for Christian Ringnes
2020
The meeting that initiated the project
The project Edelkreps began after Christian Ringnes visited Rune Francisco Fauske (Solsoldat) at his studio in Lofoten. The studio is located in a building owned by Ringnes.
The visit took place through their mutual friend, artist Jeppe Hein. During their conversations, Rune was invited to develop an artistic project based on the noble crayfish.
The story behind the motif The motif is based on a concrete and documented story. The noble crayfish was caught on the night of August 25, 2020, in the Dikemark waters in Asker, by Erling Lorsa Tveit and Haakon Haraldsen, using light fishing, nets, and traps. Both former Norwegian national tennis champions. Rune did not take part in the catch himself, but purchased the crayfish frozen, together with the full account of when, where, and how it was caught. The crayfish was later prepared and served at Viul Manor in Ringerike, a historic estate with long-standing traditions. From story to visual expression Based on this narrative, the noble crayfish was drawn digitally. The motif was developed with a focus on form, clarity, and respect for the raw material, functioning as a visual translation of the story. Materials and execution The motif was transferred onto high-quality cotton. The design was developed to be practical and simple to use, and the embroidery was executed through a professional embroidery workshop, ensuring precision and durability. Press and recognition The project Edelkreps received coverage in Norwegian media, including Telemarksavisa and Lofotposten. In connection with the coverage, Christian Ringnes expressed strong appreciation for both the collaboration and Rune’s artistic practice. He highlighted Rune’s ability to combine craftsmanship, history, and a clear personal expression. Ringnes also emphasized Rune’s commitment to art education — particularly his work with children and young people — and described the collaboration as both inspiring and enriching. The media coverage helped position the project at the intersection of contemporary art, tradition, and functional design.
Hamnøy, Eliassen rorbuer
2021
Site- specific public art commission
The artist created 6 art pieces to honor the * Orca * The Sea Eagle * The Skrei * Fisherman * Fishing boat * Minke Whale
Site- specific public art commission Rollag, Numedal ( Buskerud ) 2022
Lokomotiv 225
Liv M. Berven, Managing Director of SvingOm
Present at the opening
Godmother: Åse Kristin Ask Bakke, Member of Parliament and member of the Standing Committee on Family and Cultural Affairs
Children’s and young people’s experiences with the Numedal Railway
Trond Vegard Andersen, Friends of the Numedal Railway and the Kjerre Station Camp School
The handcar (draisine) as an attraction for holiday residents and visitors
Viel Jaren Heitmann, Mayor of Rollag
The historical significance of the Numedal Railway
Nils Helge Tufto, Deputy Mayor of Nore og Uvdal
Godmother: Åse Kristin Ask Bakke, Member of Parliament and member of the Standing Committee on Family and Cultural Affairs
Viel Jaren Heitmann, Mayor of Rollag
Site- specific public art commission,
Rjukan Telemark. 2022
He grew up in Tinn, Telemark, and became a key bearer of the region’s rich hardanger fiddle tradition—deeply rooted in the landscape, the people, and everyday life.
Dahle was more than a performer. He was a keeper of knowledge. Throughout his life, he collected, played, and passed on a vast repertoire of folk tunes, many of which might otherwise have been lost.
In the late 19th century, Knut Johannes Dahle shared folk music material with composer Edvard Grieg, helping bring local musical traditions into Norway’s national and international cultural heritage. Music that had previously lived only through oral tradition was preserved and carried forward onto concert stages.
Knut Johannes Dahle stands as a symbol of the power of folk music—grounded in tradition, yet resonating far beyond his own time and place.
This artwork was created to honor the folk music tradition of Tinn municipality in Telemark, Norway – the place where I grew up. Tinn has a strong and living folk music heritage, deeply rooted in the landscape, history, and people. With this work, I wanted to lift that tradition into the public space and give it a visual voice. Beneath the artwork, folk music masters Knut Buen and Knut Hamre perform during the opening of Landskappleiken 2022, held in Tinn. Their music connects generations and carries the sound of the valleys forward. The artwork is a tribute to place, tradition, and the living culture that continues to shape who we are.
Knut Johannes Dahle (1834–1919)
was one of the most influential folk musicians in Norwegian history.
Knut Dahle
Morgedal hotell
Site- specific public art commission, Morgedal, Telemark. 2017
The Birthplace of modern skiing
Sondre Norheim, the pioneer who revolutionized skiing in the 19th century.
The project is rooted in the history, identity, and landscape of the place, bringing together art, cultural heritage, and contemporary expression. Morgedal is inseparably linked to Sondre Norheim, the pioneer who revolutionized skiing in the 19th century. With deep respect for this legacy, Solsoldaten has developed a visual language that both honors the past and gives the hotel a distinct, modern artistic identity. ⸻ Art Rooted in Place and History The project began with extensive research into the history of skiing and Morgedal’s cultural significance. Motifs, materials, and formal expression were carefully chosen to reflect: •Norwegian ski and outdoor culture •The landscape and color palette of Vest-Telemark •Reuse and materials with a lived history •The contrast between raw textures and precise graphic elements The artworks are integrated throughout public areas and rooms, functioning both as individual pieces and as a cohesive narrative for guests staying at the hotel. “I am drawn to reuse and materials with history. As an artist, I am deeply concerned with identity, which is why research into skiing history was a natural starting point for this project.” — Rune Francisco Fauske ⸻ Collaboration and Total Experience The installation was developed in close collaboration with the hotel’s owners and management. The ambition was not simply decoration, but to create art that adds meaning and depth to the space, contributing to a complete and memorable guest experience. Following a full renovation and reopening, the hotel has received very positive feedback, and the artworks have become an integral part of the hotel’s identity. In this project, Sondre Norheim is not treated as a nostalgic symbol, but as a source of innovation, courage, and development – values that remain relevant today.
Site- specific public art commission, Kabelvåg, Lofoten 2014
Prestengbrygga, Kabelvåg
Stands at the heart of Kabelvåg’s town square.”
The artwork forms a layered story of Kabelvåg: from fishing and survival, through royal presence and historical power, to social life, culture, and shared memory. It is a tribute to coastal heritage, human resilience, and the living history embedded in the landscape.
Royal presence King Øystein Haraldsson (often called Øystein the Good) ruled Norway in the 12th century and is closely connected to the early development of Kabelvåg as an important political, religious, and trading center. He is known for strengthening infrastructure, protecting coastal communities, and building shelters for fishermen. At the center of the image stands King Øystein, placed on the mountain Tjellbergtinden, overlooking the landscape In the artwork, his elevated position symbolizes authority, protection, and a historical era when Kabelvåg held national importance. He stands as a guardian of the coastline and its people. As the scene continues upward, the atmosphere shifts toward nightlife, social life, and shared warmth. People gather, music appears, food and drink are shared, and the Northern Lights move across the sky. This upper section represents community, celebration, and the human need for connection after work is done. The aurora becomes a bridge between nature and culture, past and present. At the end of the image, a Presteng boat appears on the water. This traditional rowing boat, used along the coastline rather than the open sea, marks the closing point of the narrative. It represents everyday transport, craftsmanship, and continuity—boats that almost every household once depended on. The Presteng boat serves as a quiet but powerful reminder of how daily life was shaped by the sea.
Artwork and Architecture When creating the artwork for Prestengbrygga, the building itself became an active part of the composition. The architectural structure was carefully studied and used as a framework for the visual narrative, ensuring that the artwork is not merely placed on the building, but integrated into it. The lines of the artwork follow the geometry of the roof, echo the angles of the gables, and align with the rhythm of the windows and façade. This alignment creates a natural visual flow where the artwork feels anchored to the building rather than applied to its surface. The architecture guides the composition, and the artwork responds to it.
Selected works are presented through ongoing collaborations with restaurants and hospitality venues, integrating art into architectural spaces, social settings.
Long-term collaborations include:
• Skårungen
• Hattvika Lodge
• Solsiden Brygge
• Bacalao
• Lofoten Prestige
• Vesterålen rorbuer, Damperiet.