![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3483.jpg?w=2560&h=2560&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394266&s=8e391dbcefc34152fec3729755db03c6 2560w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3483.jpg?w=2048&h=2048&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394266&s=7aac4b68d5675743ed25366f39f86184 2048w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3483.jpg?w=1920&h=1920&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394266&s=7ab982dbc3a8f813c4463b7a4be77d05 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3483.jpg?w=1536&h=1536&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394266&s=fa85563f047d2d6a79aebae38f46f635 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3483.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394266&s=92ec89d4a0e2d88829cf36947c20ddee 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3483.jpg?w=1024&h=1024&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394266&s=e76b8e337d1413923c93bbf2afda7b7b 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3483.jpg?w=768&h=768&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394266&s=d295f01217b48f6a025c5e2f0197e532 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3483.jpg?w=512&h=512&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394266&s=106b92aa82db347030dfb64cca574321 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3483.jpg?w=256&h=256&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394266&s=a0502fb97853b81d5ab97fa4494489e3 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3483.jpg?w=128&h=128&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394266&s=14c9aa2075eb6472d438a1cb5cdb3cf7 128w)
Image of Irene Sævik in her home in Oslo. Work by Gardar Eide Einarson to the right and in the background (left to right) by John Zurier and Irene herself
Courtesy of Irene Sævik
How did you start collecting art? Was there a particular experience or encounter that played an important role for you?
I come from a very small village. My father had a fishing boat and was mostly at sea, along the Norwegian coast. Inheriting this boat later on, and selling off my share to my siblings, provided me with some money for art.
Both my grandfather and my uncle were very creative and my interest in art grew out of this environment. But there were no discussions of art at home, and no interest in art on my ex husband's side either. I was always very interested in drawing and painting by myself, but didn’t dare to choose that direction and ended up as an architect instead. However, my longing to be surrounded by art has always followed me.
During my studies and time working as an architect, with the responsibility of my two children, there was no room to purchase artworks, and I started collecting more seriously when my children had moved out on their own. However, I used to visit the then newly opened Museum of Contemporary Art and Kunstnernes Hus in Oslo, both of which became very important for me in the 1980s and 1990s. I then became more involved in the art scene in Oslo, frequented galleries such as Standard (OSLO) and Galleri Riis, and also began visiting Frieze in London, Art Basel, Berlin Gallery Weekend, galleries in Copenhagen, Stockholm, and London, etc. In short, I went my own way, however slowly!
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_103127.jpeg?w=2560&h=3413&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712917589&s=bf758116ef069b303214a22f2248fb9a 2560w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_103127.jpeg?w=2048&h=2730&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712917589&s=67258dce3bbfd5e19f9b5e3517116cb0 2048w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_103127.jpeg?w=1920&h=2560&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712917589&s=8ec4d648cac00cc71b2e7191d06803aa 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_103127.jpeg?w=1536&h=2048&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712917589&s=e1a95c1a1f2eb7140fa100c8d7c7de4b 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_103127.jpeg?w=1280&h=1706&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712917589&s=ce88727d3c4b39e2cee8bcae0b093e45 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_103127.jpeg?w=1024&h=1365&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712917589&s=3044cee0881ce70ea93b18ba2aef1340 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_103127.jpeg?w=768&h=1024&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712917589&s=008beff1a23952f0c0bb8a3e64248d82 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_103127.jpeg?w=512&h=682&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712917589&s=578256804a208cd2df09b9b5c6e931bb 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_103127.jpeg?w=256&h=341&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712917589&s=1f6ea511b7fa4c89609db471b1607959 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_103127.jpeg?w=128&h=170&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712917589&s=cb75ed24ee6d2ba5a4d0a1fa503953c5 128w)
Interior view of Irene Sævik's home in Oslo. Artworks (from left to right) are by Michael Manning, sculpture by Jone Kvie, wind surfing board by Michael Krebber, carbonbottle by Matias Faldbakken and Yves Scherer
Courtesy of Irene Sævik
Could you take me through your first experience of purchasing an artwork?
My first serious purchase was a black painting (with both glossy and matte black elements) by Jacob Schmidt, a Norwegian painter, whom I became familiar with at an exhibition in Kunstnernes Hus sometime in the 1990s. When I later had the opportunity to acquire this large black painting, I believe it somehow set the standard for my collection. It is a very powerful piece.
What is the most recent artwork you added to your collection and why?
The most recent addition to my collection is by Anna Paterson, a young British artist, purchased at LISTE last year. As you can see, I have both well-known artists and emerging talents with uncertain futures. I am seriously considering acquiring a work by Imi Knobel, but I have recently purchased a house in Malmö, and I am currently in the midst of significant changes and adjustments.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Jacob-Schmidt_2024-04-29-130910_miys.jpg?w=1280&h=1706&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714396150&s=769c7d2ec0a2a9ed0868c75bee518125 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Jacob-Schmidt_2024-04-29-130910_miys.jpg?w=1024&h=1365&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714396150&s=2a6ed433da1369a5db9ab1e9f0947546 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Jacob-Schmidt_2024-04-29-130910_miys.jpg?w=768&h=1024&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714396150&s=f62fdfe773853575c0806f232802bff4 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Jacob-Schmidt_2024-04-29-130910_miys.jpg?w=512&h=682&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714396150&s=99335126664d504bf803b1ba7f6c47c3 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Jacob-Schmidt_2024-04-29-130910_miys.jpg?w=256&h=341&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714396150&s=f89f73310d25bb9bca9a086f05e48f4f 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Jacob-Schmidt_2024-04-29-130910_miys.jpg?w=128&h=170&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714396150&s=81220e1c6ce3f9025654413ac869ea3d 128w)
Image of artwork by Jacob Schmidt, Irene Sævik's first serious art purchase
Courtesy of Irene Sævik
I am familiar with the distinct minimalistic style in your collection, could you elaborate on how this has emerged?
In my youth, while residing on the North West coast, before relocating to Oslo, I visited London and Oslo, specifically Tate and Høvikodden, in the 1960s. It was during these visits that I encountered a monochrome and minimalistic piece at Tate and Joseph Albers' work at Høvikodden, both of which left a profound impression on me. Later on, Michael Heizer's "Double Negative" (only encountered through a photograph in a book) and Donald Judd's works left a lasting impression on me. Perhaps these pieces exhibit strength, courage, and will and at the same time a profound stillness, emptiness, and silent energy, all of which resonate with me. The same with architecture, the process of filling it with a story, function, and dreams, followed by analysis and reduction to its essential elements, creating space within the structure, is akin to artworks. Maybe my interest in mathematics, as well as architecture, influences my choices, along with its resonance with my personality.
I therefore don’t have a strategy. But I like to curate how the works meet each other in my home.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3492.jpg?w=2048&h=3005&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395047&s=41b667310fd601c77a7d5b66d31674fe 2048w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3492.jpg?w=1920&h=2817&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395047&s=8285c9f0f4de830f7b3d08d44cea9a8d 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3492.jpg?w=1536&h=2254&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395047&s=9af47e2b0f6f9d6ac739517f7780737c 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3492.jpg?w=1280&h=1878&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395047&s=2aafab851fb68aea21e9569453cdf7c4 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3492.jpg?w=1024&h=1502&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395047&s=5e39e46b4187d832fb0aa95ba2dfcda5 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3492.jpg?w=768&h=1127&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395047&s=d7341460ba717c8bac20c6bdf0ee7244 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3492.jpg?w=512&h=751&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395047&s=3d4685a216842936c23ce18a8c9b2d14 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3492.jpg?w=256&h=375&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395047&s=2338b82109a2aafef82a71eff7ffff41 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3492.jpg?w=128&h=187&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395047&s=47936a0bc111840e0be79f914bbd9adf 128w)
Image of Irene Sævik in her home in Oslo together with sculpture by Éva Mag
Courtesy of Irene Sævik
Who do you listen to and go for advice? Who whispers in your ear?
I am, in fact, only listening to myself and my own meeting with the artwork. Some works in my collection are from a period when my eldest son, who passed away in 2016, was working together with artists, both as a curator and a writer, and an art critic. Through him, I met Norwegian artists of his generation. He naturally had different references than I do, a more intellectual interpretation, while I tend to rely more directly on intuition. I also like to discuss and gather information from gallerists. However, I have one valuable piece of advice from my professor, Sverre Fehn, at AHO, which I strive to follow: you have to trust your intuition.
What is a piece of advice you would give your younger self when you started collecting?
I have really regretted some pieces I didn’t buy, some of them I still dream about. I should have been more fearless and daring, and listened to Professor Fehn's advice to trust my intuition!
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_105345.jpeg?w=3072&h=2304&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712921499&s=a36af0ad2c87da74ec80fdc4f331f404 3072w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_105345.jpeg?w=2560&h=1920&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712921499&s=5a2bbe3f1c27222502f0fa0fcdaf29a5 2560w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_105345.jpeg?w=2048&h=1536&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712921499&s=cdbefa9bc1f447f22dc759de5447dfee 2048w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_105345.jpeg?w=1920&h=1440&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712921499&s=0774bea87a6a2da25b0bd5437ea244a9 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_105345.jpeg?w=1536&h=1152&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712921499&s=ac5b9d019f7d108ab8795586b7d79b93 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_105345.jpeg?w=1280&h=960&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712921499&s=cca57760979dd966b92540a4845f01e2 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_105345.jpeg?w=1024&h=768&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712921499&s=3efe8491fc48276fc9b7f72efea0e5f1 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_105345.jpeg?w=768&h=576&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712921499&s=6cc0b385e8e11c74ff5c6e37b9c6909e 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_105345.jpeg?w=512&h=384&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712921499&s=8af6fc29a4cb305467c42965fe3e28c4 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_105345.jpeg?w=256&h=192&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712921499&s=c790743ff6e0dd003c09d358a8f010a7 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_20240411_105345.jpeg?w=128&h=96&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1712921499&s=c43be691a17f6aba9bbdb57dd52d9dcd 128w)
Interior view of Irene Sævik's home in Oslo. Artworks (left to right) are by Fredrik Værslev, Jacob Schmidt, and Gardar Eide Einarson
Courtesy of Irene Sævik
What trends do you see characterising the contemporary art scene right now and how do you relate to them?
For the moment I see more figurative art, politics and gender, more narrative art, but also a lot of young artists work with reduced and reticent themes. So the art scene is very rich. Myself, I am always looking for my own interpretation in the artwork.
The internet is playing an increasing role in today's art market - has it changed the way you collect?
I like to see artworks in person, but I also follow a lot of artists and galleries on the internet. This allows me to see what is going on, to discover new interesting works and artists. Ultimately, it doesn't change my way of collecting, or so I believe. However, it does make it easier to keep connections and engaging in dialogue with various galleries.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Matias-Faldbakken-Untitled-Flat-Box-Hamar-10-2013_2024-04-29-130134_avwx.jpg?w=1920&h=2379&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395694&s=724582e325d870c83221f073974f5d1b 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Matias-Faldbakken-Untitled-Flat-Box-Hamar-10-2013_2024-04-29-130134_avwx.jpg?w=1536&h=1903&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395694&s=9d2f0e27cf456822e74f467443668e95 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Matias-Faldbakken-Untitled-Flat-Box-Hamar-10-2013_2024-04-29-130134_avwx.jpg?w=1280&h=1586&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395694&s=4af8ef8c294c0d11e9cdf9d20b95276e 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Matias-Faldbakken-Untitled-Flat-Box-Hamar-10-2013_2024-04-29-130134_avwx.jpg?w=1024&h=1269&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395694&s=d8a1959f47288b3dcd04a744b5506bd0 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Matias-Faldbakken-Untitled-Flat-Box-Hamar-10-2013_2024-04-29-130134_avwx.jpg?w=768&h=951&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395694&s=77eebb1392d5a7b2195a525d65d4684b 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Matias-Faldbakken-Untitled-Flat-Box-Hamar-10-2013_2024-04-29-130134_avwx.jpg?w=512&h=634&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395694&s=b1f51979186ef7e3aff0fe1bd620a8f2 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Matias-Faldbakken-Untitled-Flat-Box-Hamar-10-2013_2024-04-29-130134_avwx.jpg?w=256&h=317&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395694&s=b92d19307617608e3d0fa5f126c5d7df 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Matias-Faldbakken-Untitled-Flat-Box-Hamar-10-2013_2024-04-29-130134_avwx.jpg?w=128&h=158&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714395694&s=f922b5d0a6244e3ef7722c6bdc3f0df0 128w)
Artwork 'Untitled (Flat Box Hamar # 10)' by Norwegian artist Matias Faldbakken
Courtesy of Irene Sævik and STANDARD (OSLO)
"I have really regretted some pieces I didn’t buy, some of them I still dream about. I should have been more fearless and daring, and listened to Professor Fehn's advice to trust my intuition!"
Architect and art collector
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3481.jpg?w=2560&h=3413&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394984&s=3230f4746c46d2b2b3aceec079032f2c 2560w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3481.jpg?w=2048&h=2730&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394984&s=9cb9de97483046d4a70aeceed4dd3bd6 2048w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3481.jpg?w=1920&h=2560&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394984&s=6906e5db95505f3a9997a4077831cf31 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3481.jpg?w=1536&h=2048&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394984&s=413ba49383468a2b377d9382440927b1 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3481.jpg?w=1280&h=1706&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394984&s=bf58f611ba5f1a7056eeca7c6df84f96 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3481.jpg?w=1024&h=1365&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394984&s=2edf73d9b1e92a5f20655c8a222b66f2 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3481.jpg?w=768&h=1024&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394984&s=667efeb0d3ea6d728c81742790db5dd5 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3481.jpg?w=512&h=682&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394984&s=555e1f7d77513960ac2414e55df402c2 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3481.jpg?w=256&h=341&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394984&s=40303e22491a992709f280f994da81f6 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/IMG_3481.jpg?w=128&h=170&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1714394984&s=768e5b811eacd144c294bbf03acd2ed2 128w)
Irene Sævik is an art collector and architect MNAL from Oslo School of Architecture and Design.
She was born in 1949 in Vartdal, a small village at the North West Coast of Norway and moved to Oslo in 1983 where she finished her diploma from AHO in 1990.