Ann Beate Tempelhaug
A journey through art and landscape for Ann Beate Tempelhaug
Ann Beate Tempelhaug, born in 1954 in Mosjøen, northern Norway, is a renowned ceramic artist whose work bridges the gap between ceramics and painting.
With over forty years of artistic experience, she has dedicated her career to profoundly exploring landscapes and emotional expression through abstract forms. A Bergen School of Art and Crafts graduate, she has gained international recognition, featuring her works in esteemed public and private collections and exhibited on renowned global stages.
A legacy in Norwegian and international art
Tempelhaug’s work is in significant public collections, such as the National Museum in Oslo, KODE Bergen, Kunstsilo Kristiansand, and the Nordenfjeldske Art Museum in Trondheim. Her influence extends to institutional collections, including those of the municipalities of Bergen, Kristiansand, Mosjøen, Stavanger, and the royal residency Stiftsgården in Trondheim. She also features in the temporary collection at the Norwegian Prime Minister’s residence.
Her recent exhibitions include group shows with FORMAT gallery, displayed at:
- Collective New York
- Collect at the Saatchi Gallery in London
- solo exhibitions at KRAFT Gallery in Bergen
- Bomuldsfabriken Arendal
- Kunstpunkt Lista
- TID Gallery in Mandal
- Agder Art Center
- Arteriet gallery in Kristiansand
Since 2020, she has been represented by Spazio Nobile, participating in exhibitions such as The New Age of Humanism and Spazio Nobile At Home, along with international fairs like Art Week Luxembourg, Collectible Brussels, NOMAD Saint Moritz, Salon Art + Design in New York, and PAD Paris and London.
The Norwegian romantic influence
Tempelhaug’s work draws from the Norwegian Romantic tradition, pioneered by Johan Christian Dahl and further developed by Edvard Munch. This tradition captures the tension between the individual and nature, with the landscape as a mirror of inner emotions. Tempelhaug’s work, in particular, transforms this legacy into layered ceramic surfaces, where color and texture create a space for sensory experience and emotional resonance, inviting the audience to connect with her art on a deeper level.
Her creative process is performative, involving the application of liquid porcelain and pigments in an intuitive and often unpredictable manner. This process is profoundly guided by the rhythm of music and the creative synergy shared with her partner, Eirik Gjedrem. He plays an active role in shaping the raw clay surfaces and supporting various stages of production. As a testament to their close artistic collaboration, each piece carries his portrait and personal dedication on the back, reflecting the unique bond that influences their work.
From Bergen to the world stage
Tempelhaug’s artistic foundation was laid during her studies at the University of Bergen in the 1970s, where she participated in the educational revolution led by a group of students, including Torbjørn Kvasbø. This self-governance and radical experimentation period welcomed international artists like Takeshi Yasuda, who played a pivotal role in redefining contemporary ceramics. This environment allowed Tempelhaug to break free from traditional disciplinary boundaries and push the material limits of ceramics.
Over the past thirty years, she has challenged the conventions of ceramics, extending the medium into the realm of painting. Her works reject the notion of ceramics as a mere support for color, instead asserting their pictorial autonomy and expressive freedom. This approach underscores the importance of risk and uncertainty in the creative process, exemplified in the evocative title of her Italian exhibition.
“I should have not used blue?”: the Italian debut of the artist Tempelhaug
From March 19 to May 31, 2025, Fondazione Officine Saffi in Milan will present I Should Have Not Used Blue?, Tempelhaug’s first solo exhibition in Italy. This highly anticipated exhibition, supported by Norwegian Crafts and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is organized in collaboration with Spazio Nobile and under the patronage of the Comune di Milano and the Norwegian Embassy in Italy.
Tempelhaug immerses herself in this exhibition’s delicate interplay between ceramics and painting. Her abstract language emerges from a deep and methodical exploration of the landscape. The exhibition’s title captures the artist’s struggle between control and spontaneity as she harnesses the expressive possibilities of liquid porcelain and pigments.
A perfect fusion of art and wine: Consorzio Lugana DOC partners with Ann Beate Tempelhaug’s exhibition
In conjunction with the much-anticipated exhibition “I Should Have Not Used Blue?”, the Consorzio Tutela Lugana DOC proudly serves as the exclusive wine partner for the private opening event. This collaboration highlights the Consorzio’s commitment to supporting prestigious artistic and cultural national and international events.
On March 18, 2025, at the private opening hosted by Fondazione Officine Saffi, guests will be treated to a unique sensory experience that harmoniously blends visual art and enological excellence. Visitors will have the opportunity to savor a curated selection of Lugana DOC wines, renowned for their elegance, freshness, and aromatic complexity while immersing themselves in Tempelhaug’s refined ceramic works, which explore the intersection of ceramics and painting.
A significant dialogue between diverse expressive languages
Edoardo Peduto, Director of Consorzio Lugana DOC, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Fondazione Officine Saffi on this exclusive event. Art and wine share core values of identity and creativity, and this collaboration is a remarkable opportunity to present our wines in a prestigious and inspiring context.”
Laura Borghi, President of Fondazione Officine Saffi, echoed this sentiment: “This exhibition represents a significant dialogue between diverse expressive languages. We are proud to partner with Consorzio Lugana DOC, with whom we share a dedication to quality, excellence, and innovation.”
The partnership between Consorzio Lugana DOC and Fondazione Officine Saffi enhances the exhibition experience. It celebrates the perfect union between Ann Beate Tempelhaug’s artistic experimentation and the rich heritage of Lake Garda’s finest wines.
The event’s exclusive nature allows guests to enjoy an immersive journey through material, color, and emotion while indulging in the authentic flavors of Lugana DOC wines. This collaboration further solidifies Consorzio’s role in internationally supporting contemporary art and craftsmanship.
Exhibition: open from March 19 to May 31, 2025
At Fondazione Officine Saffi, Via Niccolini 35a, 20154 Milan
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10:30 AM—1:00 PM / 2:30 PM—6:30 PM; Saturday, 11:00 AM—6:30 PM.
Free admission.
For more info click here
Do you want to learn more about Wine&Beyond? Click here.
