Henie Onstad to open major retrospective celebrating Tom Sandberg

Tom Sandberg (1953–2014) was one of Norway's most significant and prolific art photographers whose work also gained international recognition. He is known for his atmospheric black-and-white photographs and his finely tuned modulation of shades of grey in the range between pitch black and pure white. This year marks 40 years since his first solo exhibition at a museum, held at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter in 1985. 

‘The fact that Henie Onstad has now chosen to show a comprehensive presentation of the work of Tom Sandberg points back to a long, shared history between the artist and the museum. Sandberg exhibited at Henie Onstad a number of times and he played an important role in giving photography a place at Høvikodden, as one of the first museums in Norway’, said Anne Hilde Neset, Director of Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. 

Sandberg presented his first exhibition at the museum in 1977, Two Photographers: Sandberg and Parslow. Around the same time, he became associated with Henie Onstad as a house photographer and documented several legendary events, such as Mauricio Kagel's commissioned work Ex-Position in 1978 and the Borealis II sculpture festival in 1985. He also portrayed several artists and composers who visited Henie Onstad, such as John Cage, Christo, Andrej Nebb, Iannis Xenakis and Krzysztof Penderecki. 

The exhibition has been organised in close collaboration with The Tom Sandberg Foundation and is curated by Susanne Østby Sæther, Senior Curator of Photography and New Media at Henie Onstad, in collaboration with artist Morten Andenæs, who worked as Sandberg's assistant for a period. 

’With Tom Sandberg's close connection to Henie Onstad, it has been particularly interesting to look at Sandberg's lifelong interest in cross-artistic experimentation and exchange. The museum's interdisciplinary focus and Sandberg's role as both commissioned photographer and exhibiting artist help to enrich this exchange. With this exhibition, Henie Onstad seeks to highlight new perspectives on a central chapter in Norwegian photographic art history’ Susanne Østby Sæther has said. 

The exhibition, which is presented in the museum’s largest gallery – Storsalen – presents more than 100 works, in addition to material from the museum's own archive. The selection includes several iconic works from the peak of Sandberg’s career, while also highlighting lesser-known works characterised by experimentation with format and technique. 

‘The exhibition consists of well-known major works, works that have not been shown for decades from Henie Onstad's own collection, the National Museum and private lenders, as well as baryte copies and sketches taken from the archive held by The Tom Sandberg Foundation. I believe that this exhibition will give those who already know Sandberg's work new perspectives and be a thorough introduction for all those who are not yet familiar with his work. When you have the opportunity to dive into an entire artistic career spanning forty years, you have the possibility to highlight works and approaches that are rarely highlighted, such as Sandberg's humor’, said Morten Andenæs. 

The exhibition runs until 1st March 2026. 

A richly illustrated publication, published by Forlaget Press, with new perspectives by Sæther and Andenæs, author Torgrim Eggen and artist and author Vibeke Tandberg, accompanies the exhibition. The publication is designed by Kim Hiorthøy and Martin Asbjørnsen. 

Side programme 

Music was important to Tom Sandberg, and the exhibition will be supported by an extensive music programme curated by Svein Terje Torvik, Henie Onstad's Curator of Music, Dance and Performance. This includes the premiere of a new commission by the celebrated Norwegian group Supersilent in collaboration with Bærum Jazz Festival on 1st November 2025, and a music programme running throughout the exhibition period in collaboration with Dextra Musica, titled Vibrant Høvikodden. In the series of performances, musicians from Vertavo, Erlend Apneseth Trio and POING, will create music in dialogue with Sandberg's photographs. 

In addition, Henie Onstad is collaborating with Dextra Musica on a major all-day event, Tom Sandberg uncaged, inspired by composer John Cage's MusiCircus. Tom Sandberg uncaged will consist of a myriad of short concerts that will be performed continuously throughout the day in various places in the museum, such as Storsalen, Studio, Labben and the vestibule. Up to 80 musicians will be involved, with a programme inspired by Sandberg's motifs. 

Dextra Musica is a subsidiary of Sparebankstiftelsen DNB who hold some of the world's finest string instruments, which are loaned to Norwegian musicians with the goal of unleashing positive forces in Norwegian music life. Some of the instruments have been captured by Tom Sandberg and are featured in the exhibition. 

The music programme is free for all exhibition ticket holders, club members and visitors under the age of 18.  

Saturday 1st November 2025 

Supersilent commissioned work/first performance 

2 pm–approx. 4:30 pm 

In collaboration with Bærum Jazzfestival. Supported by the Arts Council of Norway and the Sparebankstiftelsen DNB. 

https://www.hok.no/arrangementer/supersilent 

Thursday 20th November2025 

Open rehearsal of Tom Sandberg uncaged aimed at youth and schools. 

1–4 pm. and 5–8 pm 

In collaboration with Dextra Music, Interpuls Festival for Minimalist Music and Art, the FRAM concert series, Slagverksløftet and Nordic Wind Festival. 

Saturday 22ndNovember 2025 

Tom Sandberg uncaged 

11 am–5 pm 

In collaboration with Dextra Music, Interpuls Festival for Minimalist Music and Art, the FRAM concert series, Slagverksløftet and Nordic Wind Festival. 

https://www.hok.no/arrangementer/tom-sandberg-uncaged 

Thursday 11th December 11 2025 

Vibrant Høvikodden: Volle, Cardas & Lewis Trio 

Short sets of 20-30 minutes in the exhibition. 

5:00 pm, 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm 

In collaboration with Dextra Musica. 

https://www.hok.no/arrangementer/trio-fra-vertavo 

Saturday 17th January 17 2026 

Vibrant Høvikodden: Erlend Apneseth Trio 

Short sets of 20–30 minutes in the exhibition. 

2:00 pm, 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm 

In collaboration with Dextra Musica. 

https://www.hok.no/arrangementer/erlend-apneseth-trio 

Saturday 28th February 2026 

Vibrant Høvikodden: POING 

Short sets 20–30 minutes shows in the exhibition 

2:00 pm and 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm 

In collaboration with Dextra Musica. 

https://www.hok.no/arrangementer/poing 

Summary: 

Title: Tom Sandberg: Vibrant World 

Exhibition period: 31 October 2025 – 1 March 2026 

Curators: Morten Andenæs and Susanne Østby Sæther 

Side program: See above. 

Press preview: Wednesday, 29th October 29, at 10 am, registration to mhj@hok.no 

Location: Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Sonja Henies vei 31, 1311 Høvikodden 

Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 11 am–5 pm, Thursday 11 am–8 pm, closed Monday. 

Website: hok.no