A Preview of Paintings by Danish Artist Lars H.U.G. at the Danish Embassy in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 3:56 PM, Jun 25, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Events

Andrew Sostek, Danish artist Lars H.U.G. and Rhoda M. Septilici

On WEDNESDAY EVENING, June 24, a reception and preview of paintings by Danish artist and composer Lars H.U.G. was held at the Danish embassy near the Vice President's house in Northwest Washington, D.C. Lars H.U.G. is one of the most progressive and widely respected Danish artists of his time. He is an acclaimed visual artist, but he has also integrated his visual art into his musical career. His musical career has included work in the areas from new wave to pop, jazz, experimental and electronic music.

DURING HIS TIME as a student at the Art Academy of Jutland, Lars H.U.G. together with some colleagues, started the punk and new wave group Kliche. Inspired by musicians like Roxy Music and Kraftwerk, Kliche established themselves as an important Danish underground band, with the intention of breaking away from the classic perception of a rock band. The band's first hit single was "Militia Women," which in many ways was the start of Lars H.U.G.'s solo career. He also says he likes to work with and collaborate with Swedish singer Lisa Ekdahl.

Lolo Sarnoff (in the middle), founder of the Arts for the Aging Inc. (AFTA), in conversation with friends.

IN 2004 Lars H.U.G. was the first artist to receive the Award set by the world famous Danish composer Bent Fabricius Bjerre. Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark quoted lyrics from one of H.U.G.'s songs as the very last words in his speech to his wife, Mary Donaldson, at their wedding later that year.

LARS H.U.G. is today one of Denmark's most loved artists. He continues touring and giving concerts with his band. He is also active in supporting charities such as Amnesty International, Folkekirkens Nødhjælp and Medics Without Borders.

HE HAS BECOME a very productive painter since his first huge retrospective exhibition at the "Geth huset" in 2001, titled "1000 Soundless Pictures." His artwork garnered a lot of attention, and in 2007 an art collector bought all his available paintings. He is currently working on several new exhibitions at his studio in Berlin.

IN 2009, he was invited by the Danish ambassador to attend President Barack Obama's inauguration, and he gave a lecture at the prestigious Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C.

Janine Tursini is Executive director of Arts for the Aging, Inc. (AFTA).

Robert Bettman, Roy Wyscarver, Lena Skanby and Bill Farrand

Swedish artist Anna U. Davis and Todd C. Wiggins

The Danish Embassy

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