Artist Bjørn Strandenes and gourmet chef Bjørn Hettervik invite you to an experience where art, food, and nature are interwoven into a journey for the senses. Their collaboration springs from a shared inspiration found in encounters with landscapes and the people who inhabit them – from Borgøy in the west to Utne in Hardanger.

The story began in 2009, when Strandenes first visited Borgøy, invited by an art-enthusiast friend from Haugesund. There he was introduced to Bjørn Hettervik, who at the time was leading the local gourmet festival. The meeting with Hettervik, the island, and the people who lived and worked there became a powerful and formative experience for the artist. It was here that the creative interplay between the two first began.

Hettervik, himself from Borgøy – birthplace of the painter Lars Hertervig – shared not only his roots, but also a passion for conveying the beauty of what is close at hand. The following year, their collaboration deepened with an art exhibition, gourmet food, and sparkling drinks. A personal friendship grew, laying the foundation for the new project at Utne Hotel.
Strandenes’ paintings are inspired by encounters with nature and the people living in close connection with it. Since Utne is part of this journey, the works bear the mark of both the place and its atmosphere. Professor Gunnar Danbolt has previously described Strandenes’ art as “between figuration and abstraction” (Paris 2003), but in dialogue with Hardanger and Utne his expression has become more figurative – and his color palette has undergone a clear transformation.

The stay in Utne, with its vibrant hotel environment and close contact with local cider producers and craftspeople, has influenced both the choice of motifs and the colors. The result is an exhibition bursting with energy, rooted in authenticity and aesthetics.

Now the works are on display in the gallery rooms of the venerable Utne Hotel, for the enjoyment of both visitors and locals in Hardanger.