Avoid Ashland

Unni Askeland is one of Norway's most prominent visual artists, known for her uncompromising expression and her ability to create contemporary art that is both engaging and challenging. She combines elements of pop art with raw expressiveness, often through strong colors, clear lines, and iconic figures from popular culture.

Askeland has a background from the Kabelvåg Art School, the Bergen National Academy of the Arts and the Norwegian Academy of Fine Arts in Oslo, where she studied under Per Kleiva. Over four decades, she has made a name for herself with a wide range of exhibitions nationally and internationally – including in New York, Berlin, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Gothenburg. She works broadly within painting, graphics, installation, performance and photography, and her work is represented in several important collections, including the National Museum, Astrup Fearnley and Queen Sonja's private art collection.

Askeland is known for placing herself and her contemporaries in an art historical context – as in the Munch Adoptions series and the Big Blonde project – where she interprets and challenges the established norms of both art and society. Her themes range from identity, gender and sexuality to fame, loss and existential longing.

At the same time, she has always had a desire to make art accessible to a wide audience. Her works are now also sold as signed art reproductions via DAIDDA – some exclusively through the platform.

She has received several awards, including the State Work Grant and the Ministry of Culture's Honorary Award for her artistic work.