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Håkon Ingvald Bleken (born January 9, 1929 in Trondheim) is a Norwegian painter.
Education and work as an artist
Bleken was educated at the Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts (1949–1953) in Oslo, where he studied under professor Jean Heiberg. In 1950 he participated in the etching class at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry under Chrix Dahl.
Bleken worked as a senior scientific officer at the Institute of Form and Colour Studies at the Norwegian Institute of Technology from 1960 to 1972.
Regarding Bleken's productions
A series of coal sketches called Fragmenter av et diktatur (Fragments of a dictatorship) from 1971 was his definitive breakthrough as an artist. Bleken is known for basing his paintings on literary works. Doctor Faustus by Thomas Mann, Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen and The Trial by Franz Kafka are all works that are often seen in his production. Human suffering and social activism are themes often depicted in Bleken's works.
Bleken has painted several well known people, among them Olav V of Norway and Arne Nordheim.
Bleken is also known as an illustrator of literary works. He has illustrated such works as Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen, Haugtussa by Arne Garborg, Mysteries by Knut Hamsun, Babette's Feast by Karen Blixen and Dalen Portland by Kjartan Fløgstad.
Exhibitions and embellishments (a selection)
As one of Norway's most protruding contemporary artists he has had a series of separate exhibitions in the country's biggest galleries, among them the National Museum of Norway and the Henie-Onstad Art Centre, since his debut in 1951. His works have also been bought for several art collections in Norway, among them those of the National Museum of Norway, Norsk Hydro and Statoil.
Bleken has contributed to the embellishment of St. Olav Cathedral and Olavshallen in Trondheim, the local church in Spjelkavik, Oslo Concert Hall and Oslo Central Station, all in Norway.
Awards
In 1999 Bleken recieved the award Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav. On September 4, 2009 the Norwegian Royal Court announced that Harald V of Norway has promoted Bleken to Commander of the same order «for his work as an artist». In 2005 he was awarded Anders Jahre's culture prize. The regional newspaper Adresseavisen pronounced Bleken as "Trønder of the year" in 2003.
Literature
- Wangen, Stein Slettebakk: «Håkon Bleken. Fragmenter». Kom Publishing, 2003.
