Total Length: 5 km
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Copenhagen’s Østerbro neighbourhood is filled with inspiring public artworks by leading Nordic and international artists such as: Tal R, Kirsten Ortwed, Alicja Kwade, Sonja Ferlov Mancoba and Isa Genzken.
For CHART 2025, we are shining a spotlight on art in the public space. Throughout the year we will expand the dialogue around public art, exploring the ways in which it can build community, inspire new ideas, spark discussion and shape our shared environment.
One of the best way to experience public artworks is on foot. In our new series of Art Running Tours we guide you around Copenhagen, pointing out where artworks are transforming streets, parks and waterfronts into vibrant cultural landscapes. Enjoy this curated route as a leisurely walk or fast-paced run and take in stunning works that highlight the city’s architecture and natural beauty.
Tal R, Rejsen Begynder Her, Østerport station, 2023
Courtesy of the artist and Galleri Bo Bjerggaard
Tal R – Rejsen begynder her
Begin the tour at Østerbro Station to experience Tal R's site-specific work 'Rejsen begynder her' (The Journey Begins Here). This reverse glass painting consists of three glass panels, each measuring 3.40 x 4 meters, and has become an indispensable part of the experience of train travel for the thousands of people who use the station every day.
Here, people of different ages, genders, and backgrounds come together with one common purpose – the journey. The movements between individuals convey a sense of unity, while the vibrant colours emphasise diversity. Despite sharing the journey as a collective experience, each person remains unique. The figures in the artwork are drawn from Tal R’s own life, enhancing the feeling of dealing with real individuals, not just people to be moved. This mirrors reality, much like the journey itself.
Tal R (b. 1967; IL) is represented by Galleri Bo Bjerggaard.
Jacoba Niepoort, Mural, Blegdamsvej 31
Courtesy of the artist
Jacoba Niepoort – Mural at Blegdamsvej 31
As you approach the concrete wall located at Blegdamsvej 31 near the metro station Trianglen, look out for a large mural painting by Danish artist Jacoba Niepoort. The wall, once a target for vandalism after the metro construction, has been transformed in collaboration with local residents to create a vibrant piece of public art.
The project aims to initiate a dialogue on public space development in Østerbro and the broader Copenhagen area. The mural offers an alternative approach to the growing trend of advertising murals that can be found elsewhere in the city, thus serving as a counterpoint to commercialisation. By involving locals in the creation process, the project fosters community engagement and offers an opportunity for social interaction. Additionally, it seeks to elevate public art, making it accessible to a wider audience and contributing to the city's broader visual appearance.
Jacoba Niepoort (b. 1983; DK) is a Danish mural artist known for her large-scale public art projects. Her works have been incorporated into various international street art festivals and public spaces, and are included in public collections across Europe and the Americas.
Kirsten Ortwed, Reflektor, Blegdamsvej 80, 2019
Courtesy of the artist and palace enterprise
Kirsten Ortwed – Reflektor
On Blegdamsvej, adjacent to Rigshospital, you will find Kirsten Ortwed's public sculpture 'Reflektor.' Consisting of a life-size human figure and a large abstract form, both rendered with a reflective surface, this sculpture interacts with the surrounding environment, creating dynamic reflections of the street, sky, and passersby.
The sculpture’s design invites people to engage with it, encouraging them to observe and be observed, while transforming the ordinary space into a unique visual experience. 'Reflektor' is more than just a piece of public art—it serves as a reminder of the relationship between the individual and their surroundings, offering a new perspective on the urban landscape.
Kirsten Ortwed (b. 1948; DK) is represented by palace enterprise.
Rudolf Tegner, Mod lyset, Tagensvej / Blegdamsvej, 1909
Courtesy of the artist
Rudolf Tegner – Mod lyset
At the intersection of Blegdamsvej and Tagensvej, you will find Rudolf Tegner’s public sculpture 'Mod lyset' (Towards the Light). The artwork consists of a powerful and expressive figure of a woman, her arms raised, as if reaching towards the light. The statue’s dynamic composition and strong form embody the theme of human aspiration and transcendence.
'Mod lyset' is designed to inspire hope and a sense of striving for the greater good, both for those passing by and for the patients and staff at the hospital. The figure’s upward gesture suggests a constant quest for light and enlightenment, symbolising optimism and the pursuit of a better future.
Rudolf Tegner (1873-1950; DK) was a renowned Danish sculptor known for his monumental works, many of which are housed in major institutions such as the Statens Museum for Kunst and the Tegner Museum.
Alicja Kwade, Pars pro toto, Panum Institut / Blegdamsvej, 2018
Courtesy of the artist and i8 Gallery
Alicja Kwade – Pars pro toto
Outside the Panum Institute, you will find Alicja Kwade's public sculpture 'Pars pro toto'. The artwork is positioned prominently at the entrance to the institution, inviting both visitors and staff to reflect on the connection between individual parts and the system that contains them – the latin title of the work 'Pars pro toto' in fact translates as 'a part of the whole'.
This artwork consists of of a series of stone spheres that are reminiscent of planets. The raw stone surface of each object emphasises the process of aging, as well as the passage of time, that has formed them. Interested in the structure of the universe, from atoms to solar systems, this work encourages viewers to reflect on the different ways in which patterns repeat at every level of existence.
Alicja Kwade (b. 1979; PL) is represented by i8 Gallery.
Sonja Ferlov Mancoba, Effort Commun, Sortedam Dossering, 1969-1970
Courtesy of the artist
Sonja Ferlov Mancoba – Effort commun
Head down to the lakes just past the end of Irmingersgade to find an iconic example of sculpture by one of the leading Danish artists of the twentieth century: Sonja Ferlov Mancoba. Here you will find the bronze work 'Effort commun' (Joint Effort), which presents a human-size biomorphic figure that stands as a tribute to the importance of solidarity and co-operation between people.
Whilst Ferlov Mancoba originally trained as a painter, sculpture later became her primary medium and she is best-known for works that depict semi-abstract beings, warrior figures and masks made from clay and palster. Sonja Ferlov Mancoba's work was heavily influenced by the Danish avant-garde movement 'Linien,' African sculptural traditions and spirituality as well as her dialogue with Alberto Giacometti who she befriended and worked alongside in Paris after moving there in her 20s.
Sonja Ferlov Mancoba (1911-1984; DK) was a highly influential Danish sculptor whose works are included in institutional collections across Denmark and internationally including Louisiana, Statens Museum for Kunst, Centre Pompidou and Moderna Museet.
Kaare Golles, Monument for Inger Christensen, Hjalmer Brantings Plads, 2021.
Courtesy of the artist. Photo by David Stjernholm
Kaare Golles – Monument for Inger Christensen
'Monument for Inger Christensen' is a bronze sculpture by Danish artist Kaare Golles installed at Hjalmar Brantings Plads to commemorate the life and work of Danish poet Inger Christensen. Located near her home of over 30 years, the sculpture is one of only a few public sculptures in Copenhagen dedicated to Danish women.
With this work, KaareGolles aimed to create a monument for Inger Christensen rather than a direct portrayal of her. Drawing inspiration from the decorative columns shaped like female figures outside Inger Christensen's longtime home, as well as her distinct style of poetry, this headless figure represents a universal body, devoid of identity markers, to emphasise the poet's lasting impact and the relevance of her work today.
Kaare Golles (b. 1985; DK) is a Danish contemporary artist known for his work in sculpture, installation, and public art. His projects often explore themes of identity, space, and memory.
Isa Genzken, Vollmond, Den Frie, 1997:2003
Courtesy of the artist. Photo by Den Frie
Isa Gensken – Vollmond
As you approach Den Frie, look out for the monumental sculpture 'Vollmond' by the German artist Isa Genzken. Originally commissioned for Skulptur Projekte Münster in 1997, the sculpture was recently installed outside the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin as part of Genzken's 2023 retrospective exhibition, before finding a new home earlier this year outside of Den Frie.
Simultaneously raw and romantic, this gigantic 16-metre high streetlamp functions as a part of the urban landscape during the day. However at night, it shines like an extra moon above the city, blending perfectly with the monumental dreamy architecture of Den Frie, originally designed by Danish artist J.F. Willumsen.
Isa Genzken (b. 1948; DE) is one of the most influential figures in international contemporary art. She is best known for her work with found, functional objects and is generally inspired by the confusion of architecture, forms and lives that make up a city.
