KHiO Exhibition
Avgang 2026: The present has an afterlife

Master’s students of Oslo national academy of the Arts in Art and Public Space and medium- and material-based art present their graduation projects.

Piotr Paweł Chrzanowski, Louise Evensen Herreira, Jomi Evers, Taran Helene Graff, Martine Aadne Gulliksen, Anja Hallek, Marius Engan Johansen, Cristina Mariani, Gina Mastrianni, Frida Ødegård Moen, Fanny Möller, Marie Pernille Rognerud, Mitra Shamloo, Helene Skuterud, Tove Starfelt, Jens Thygesen, Stella Vallik, Marea Lazzára Vigesaa.

The present has an afterlife is a degree exhibition of layered realities, perspectives and approaches to creating contemporary art in a world where it is increasingly difficult to focus and slow down.

More often than not, slowing down is a prerequisite for materials-based practices. Acutely aware of the swift and unrelenting arrow of time, the 18 graduating artists invite us to pay close attention and immerse ourselves in a constellation of worlds within worlds. Within these worlds are poetic reflections and warnings that collectively remind us to take better care of what we have, in order to create a more perfect future.

Running the gamut from humorous to deeply serious, the artworks in this exhibition touch on themes such as the more-than-human, healing, obsessive material exploration and the importance of play. The artworks are anchored in the past, present and speculative future – all of which are deeply connected.

This year’s degree exhibition is also treading into uncharted territory. For the first time in many years, the final Master’s-level presentation of the school of Arts and Crafts is primarily presented at an external institution. Collected at UKS are works by all the graduating artists from the departments of Printmaking and Publishing, Metal and Jewellery, Ceramics, Textile, and Art and Public Space. In addition, two site-responsive satellites are presented at Black Box (KHiO) and Sculpture Park at Norsk Billedhoggerforening.

Curator: Jessica Williams

LOCATIONS AND OPENING HOURS

Unge Kunstneres Samfund: Keysers gate 1
Monday – Wednesday & Friday – Sunday 12–5 pm
Thursday 12–7 pm

Norsk Billedhoggerforening, Sculpture Park: Hekkveien 5
Accessible 24/7

Kunsthøgskolen i Oslo, Black Box: Fossveien 24
Monday – Sunday 2–5pm

PUBLIC PROGRAMME

Friday 29 May, 5–8pm
– Opening ceremony
– Anja Hallek activates her artwork with performers Helge Wilhelm Dahl, Alice Darby, Lisa Marie Hovden, Agnes Olander, Jasper Siverts
– Road Works Opera, a performance by Piotr Paweł Chrzanowski with Elias Elvegaard, Isabelle Aimeè Mar Bastidas Johannesen, Eleni Kanavou, Laura Nilsen, Miła Pest, Nor Skotheim-Gordillo, Wørld, Sara Zamecznik
– Louise Evensen Herreira activates her artwork as Kim
– Afterparty at Norsk Billedhoggerforening from 7–10pm

Saturday 30 May, 2.30–3.30pm
– Guided tour at UKS by the curator, Jessica Williams

Sunday 31 May, 3–4pm 
– Artist-led guided tour at UKS

Thursday 4 June, 5–7pm
– Guided tour and reception at UKS for institutions by the curator and artists
– Marius Engan Johansen activates his work at 5pm
– Road Works Opera, a performance by Piotr Paweł Chrzanowski with Elias Elvegaard, Isabelle Aimeè Mar Bastidas Johannesen, Eleni Kanavou, Laura Nilsen, Miła Pest, Nor Skotheim-Gordillo, Wørld, Sara Zamecznik at 6pm – CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS

Saturday 6 June, 3–3.30pm
– Road Works Opera, a performance by Piotr Paweł Chrzanowski with Elias Elvegaard, Isabelle Aimeè Mar Bastidas Johannesen, Eleni Kanavou, Laura Nilsen, Miła Pest, Nor Skotheim-Gordillo, Wørld, Sara Zamecznik at 6pm

Sunday 7 June, 3–4pm
– Artist-led guided tour at UKS