Press release -
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 earth, I'm anchored, I know what I'm doing, and I'm doing it right. That's my child – it's The Mother.
The Mother is lifted to its place in front of the Munch museum. Photo: Ingvild B. Myklebust, The Agency for Cultural Affairs, City of Oslo.
– A new icon for our city
Oslo's vice mayor for culture Omar Samy Gamal thanked Emin for her great contribution to Oslo.
– I would like to say on behalf of the city of Oslo and our inhabitants, how excited and grateful I am that we have received a new icon for our city made by you, Tracey Emin, Gamal said.
Tracey Emin's new sculpture in Oslo. Photo: Jørgen Rist Holmen, The Agency for Cultural Affairs, City of Oslo.
– Not in a million years
The artist herself admitted that she had next to no belief that she would win the favour of the jury back in 2018, fearing that it might be «too much Tracey in Oslo»:
– I didn't ever in a million years think I'd get chosen, first of all because it's figurative and subjective. I thought it would be something more modern and sophisticated, more architectural, so I wasn't expecting to get it, but I thought I might as well try, since I love Munch so much.
– First time in history
The Mother, with its height of nine metres and weight of eighteen tons, has qualities which is matched by few or no other sculptures in the world.
– It's probably the first time in history that we've had something of this magnitude and this scope, made by a woman, that is a woman, that's naked and that's well over the age of 80, and I hope I get to be well over the age of 80, so that's my inspiration, Emin said, inspiring applause at the press conference.
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.
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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.
