The sculpture by Tracey Emin will finally get her place in the flower meadow. Image and Landscape Architect: J & L Gibbons
The sculpture by Tracey Emin will finally get her place in the flower meadow. Image and Landscape Architect: J & L Gibbons

Press release -

On Saturday 4 June, the artwork The Mother will be completed

At long last, the Tracey Emin sculpture will be installed at Inger Munch’s Pier in Bjørvika, Oslo. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be on Saturday 4 June, and from 6:30 PM, the public will be able to experience the sculpture up close. Oslo and Norway will have an impressive new art attraction that will stand to the end of time.

What is happening before the opening?

  • On Monday 30 May, there will be an opportunity to see the sculpture after it has undergone treatment. This is when the scaffolding will be removed at Sukkerbiten in Oslo, and The Mother will be visible to the public.
  • Then, from 2 June, Inger Munch’s Pier will be closed to the public.
  • On Thursday 2 June, The Mother will be lifted over Akerselva from Sukkerbiten to the little flower meadow where she will stand.
  • At around 11 AM, a trial lift will take place.
  • The main lift will take place at 4 PM. After this, at 4:15 PM, there will be a press conference at which Tracey Emin will talk about her artwork. Vice Mayor for Culture in City of Oslo Omar S. Gamal and Director of the Agency for Cultural Affairs Stein Slyngstad will also be present.
  • On Friday 3 June, flowers will be planted and preparation of the landscape around the sculpture will be completed.
  • On Saturday 4 June, an invitation-only unveiling event will be held at Inger Munch’s Pier. Members of the public and passers-by will be able to see it from a distance, at Sukkerbiten.
  • The area will be reopened to the public after the unveiling, at around 7:00 PM.

To schedule interviews with artist Tracey Emin, Vice Mayor for Culture in the City of Oslo Omar S. Gamal and Director at the Agency for Cultural Affairs Stein Slyngstad, please contact Tone Kjensmo at tone.kjensmo@kul.oslo.kommune.no, or by telephone at +47 470 79 019.

Facts and information:

- Facts and background on the artwork The Mother.

- Tracey Emin won the competition for the art project in 2018. Read about all the proposals that were submitted from the invited artists.

- The artwork is part of the City of Oslo’s Art Programme and will be part of the City of Oslo’s art collection from June 2022. Learn more here.

- Oslo has built a 1000 square metre plot, called Inger Munch’s Pier, outside the new MUNCH Museum. A new, attractive art and recreational area in Bjørvika. Learn more here.

Tracey Emin with a model of The Mother in front of MUNCH in 2018. Photo: Agency for Cultural Affairs, City of Oslo

Related links

Topics

Categories

The Agency for Cultural Affairs (Kulturetaten) ensures quality, diversity and development in cultural offerings in Oslo. The Agency also recommends candidates for grants and scholarships for various projects aiming to promote art, culture and media in the city. The Agency is also responsible for the City of Oslo’s art programme, the City Archives, Oslo Culture School, the Pop Centre, the Vigeland Museum, the sculptures in the Vigeland Park, Oslo Culture Night, Oslo biennalen, summer camps, cultural properties, the Events Office (arrangementskontoret), and more.

Stein Slyngstad has been director since 2018.

Contacts

Tone Kjensmo

Tone Kjensmo

Press contact Communication advisor, Culture Affairs +47 470 79 019

Related media Download images for media use

Tracey Emin in front of MUNCH, Oslo
  • Tracey Emin in front of MUNCH, Oslo
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Alv Gustavsen, Agency of cultural affairs, the City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 3456 x 2304, 2.94 MB
Download
The Mother is in Oslo, being assembled into one piece.
  • The Mother is in Oslo, being assembled into one piece.
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Mtec
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 3024 x 4032, 2.21 MB
Download
The new area outside of MUNCH June 2021
  • The new area outside of MUNCH June 2021
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Istvan Virag, Agency of Cultural Affairs, the City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 4000 x 6000, 23.1 MB
Download
The new area outside of MUNCH June 2021
  • The new area outside of MUNCH June 2021
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Istvan Virag, Agency of Cultural Affairs, the City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 6000 x 4000, 17.7 MB
Download
The Mother is in Oslo, being assembled into one piece.
  • The Mother is in Oslo, being assembled into one piece.
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Jørgen Rist Holmen, Agency of culture affairs, City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 6240 x 4160, 2.79 MB
Download
The Mother is in Oslo, being assembled into one piece.
  • The Mother is in Oslo, being assembled into one piece.
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Ingvild B. Myklebust, Agency of culture affairs, City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 4480 x 6720, 3.01 MB
Download
The Mother is in Oslo, being assembled into one piece.
  • The Mother is in Oslo, being assembled into one piece.
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Ingvild B. Myklebust, Agency of culture affairs, City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 4480 x 6720, 3.26 MB
Download
The new area outside of MUNCH May 2021
  • The new area outside of MUNCH May 2021
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Istvan Virag, Agency of Cultural Affairs, the City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 7983 x 5322, 22.8 MB
Download
The Mother is in Oslo, being assembled into one piece.
  • The Mother is in Oslo, being assembled into one piece.
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Jørgen Rist Holmen, Agency of culture affairs, City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 4160 x 6240, 824 KB
Download
Torso and head of The Mother by Tracey Eminen i London photo John O'Rourke 4
  • Torso and head of The Mother by Tracey Eminen i London photo John O'Rourke 4
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: John O'Rourke
  • File format: .png
  • Size: 1251 x 702, 1.99 MB
Download
The top part of the 9 meters tall sculpture The Mother, in London
  • The top part of the 9 meters tall sculpture The Mother, in London
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: John O'Rourke
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 1536 x 2048, 747 KB
Download
The Mother, one part of the sculpture being lifted in London
  • The Mother, one part of the sculpture being lifted in London
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: John O'Rourke
  • File format: .png
  • Size: 990 x 565, 1.16 MB
Download
The new area outside of MUNCH June 2021
  • The new area outside of MUNCH June 2021
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Istvan Virag, Agency of Cultural Affairs, the City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 4000 x 6000, 23.5 MB
Download
The Mother in production, welding
  • The Mother in production, welding
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: John O'Rourke
  • File format: .png
  • Size: 703 x 400, 547 KB
Download
The new area outside of MUNCH, where The Mother will be placed
  • The new area outside of MUNCH, where The Mother will be placed
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Istvan Virag, Agency of Cultural Affairs, the City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 7687 x 5125, 24.6 MB
Download
The new area outside of MUNCH April 2021
  • The new area outside of MUNCH April 2021
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Istvan Virag, Agency of Cultural Affairs, the City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 8089 x 5393, 24.1 MB
Download
The new area outside of MUNCH April 2021
  • The new area outside of MUNCH April 2021
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Istvan Virag, Agency of Cultural Affairs, the City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 8030 x 5353, 19.7 MB
Download
The new area outside of MUNCH June 2021
  • The new area outside of MUNCH June 2021
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Istvan Virag, Agency of Cultural Affairs, the City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 6000 x 4000, 22.1 MB
Download
The Mother with people
  • The Mother with people
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Image and Landscape Architect: J & L Gibbons
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 3386 x 3308, 1.21 MB
Download
Placement of the the area outside MUNCH
  • Placement of the the area outside MUNCH
  • License: All rights reserved
    The Content may only be used by Mynewsdesk. It is thus not permissible for anyone else to download, copy, distribute or otherwise use the Content (other than for private use to the extent permitted by law).
  • By: Iwan Baan
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 6000 x 4000, 9.19 MB
Not downloadable
The Museum Island - MUNCH
  • The Museum Island - MUNCH
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Ingvild B. Myklebust, Agency of Cultural Affairs, the City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 6720 x 4480, 2.53 MB
Download
Bjørvika Culture district
  • Bjørvika Culture district
  • License: All rights reserved
    The Content may only be used by Mynewsdesk. It is thus not permissible for anyone else to download, copy, distribute or otherwise use the Content (other than for private use to the extent permitted by law).
  • By: Iwan Baan
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 2200 x 1467, 1.02 MB
Not downloadable
Close up of sculpture from White Cube
  • Close up of sculpture from White Cube
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Lise Karin Mjøs, The Agency for Cultural Affairs, the City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 720 x 960, 33.7 KB
Download
The Museum Island - MUNCH
  • The Museum Island - MUNCH
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Ingvild B. Myklebust, Agency of Cultural Affairs, the City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 6720 x 4480, 3.5 MB
Download
The Museum Island - MUNCH
  • The Museum Island - MUNCH
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Ingvild B. Myklebust, Agency of Cultural Affairs, the City of Oslo
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 6720 x 4480, 3.29 MB
Download
The Mother, facing the fjord.
  • The Mother, facing the fjord.
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Image and Landscape Architect: J & L Gibbons
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 6648 x 5540, 33.7 MB
Download
The Mother in Oslo
  • The Mother in Oslo
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: Image and Landscape Architect: J & L Gibbons
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 3219 x 1720, 4.04 MB
Download
Model of The Mother
  • Model of The Mother
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
  • By: © Tracey Emin, 2018
  • File format: .jpg
  • Size: 2953 x 3937, 7.47 MB
Download

Related content

Illustration of The Mother showing its size. Illustration by J & L Gibbons

Launch of the sculpture The Mother is postponed until June 2022

The large bronze sculpture was scheduled to be unveiled at the new area outside of MUNCH during 2021, but the work has taken longer than planned. It has now been decided to postpone the transport of The Mother from London until the spring of 2022. The unveiling will therefore not take place until next summer.
– It is very unfortunate that the production has taken longer than expected, and we ar

The size of the sculpture The Mother by Tracey Emin coming to Oslo, Norway late summer 2021. Illustration by J & L Gibbons

The large sculpture The Mother outside the new MUNCH will be installed towards the end of the year


MUNCH opens in the autumn of 2021. Outside of the museum, facing the Oslo Fjord, Oslo will have a new large sculpture; The Mother, created by British artist Tracey Emin. The sculpture arrives from London to Oslo during the summer, where the parts will be assembled together by the artist’s production team. Towards the end of the year, The Mother will be lifted to the new area where it will be p

In 2021, The Mother by Tracey Emin will be a new attraction in Oslo for visitors. Ill; J& L Gibbons

The Mother 2021 – a new artwork in Oslo

What: The Mother, a 9-meter tall bronze sculpture by Tracey Emin.
Where: Outside, on a new park area, next to the new Munch Museum in Bjørvika, Oslo, Norway
When: Sculpture to be unveiled 2021. The area where the sculpture will stand, will be opened to the public in the spring of 2021.
Tracey Emin’s The Mother, a nine-meter high bronze sculpture outside the new Munch Museum in Bjørvika wi

Tracey Emin's 18 ton sculpture «The Mother» was lifted by crane and put in place right next to Oslo's Munch museum. Photo: Ingvild B. Myklebust, The Agency for Cultural Affairs, City of Oslo.

See photos from the spectacular lift of Tracey Emin's gigantic sculpture «The Mother»

See all photos of The Mother here

Artist Tracey Emin was present at the lift, and it was with great enthusiasm she witnessed the spectacular lift of the biggest piece she has ever created.
– This is pretty amazing. I might not have children and grandchildren, but I've got a legacy now. This will be here a long, long time. And I feel good, because it makes me realise that I'm here on this

The Mother will arrive in Oslo next week. Photo: John O'Rourke

The Mother on its way to Oslo

The nine metre tall bronze sculpture, The Mother, will be arriving in Oslo next week. It will be shipped from London in five parts and assembled at Sukkerbiten in Bjørvika, Oslo. Before the summer, it will be welded together and patinated, so it can stand proudly forevermore at Inger Munch’s Pier.
Fact about The Mother and the project.
Download all images here.


Torso and head in L

Welcome to Culture Oslo!

This is the mutual press room for the three cultural agencies in the City of Oslo: The Agency for Cultural Affairs (Kulturetaten), Oslo Public Library Deichman and Munchmuseet.

Culture Oslo
Visit our other newsrooms