Hanne Friis

Sculpture, Textile

Hanne Friis (b. 1972, Oslo) is educated in painting and sculpture at the Art Academy in Trondheim. The interplay between form and materiality lies at the heart of Friis’ artistic practice, where sensibility, and the language of color play a vital role. While her background includes sculpture and painting, she has embraced textile as her primary medium. Through a distinctive folding and seaming technique, she sculpts textiles by hand using a needle and nylon thread, transforming loose materials into dense forms. This time-consuming process allows her to enter a ‘stream of consciousness’, where thoughts and energies flow between the material and herself. The resulting organic, abstract shapes are intricate and associative, forming what she calls soft sculptures.

Friis works with both organic and synthetic materials, from wool, cotton, silk velvet, and viscose to plastics. Some pieces are made with natural-dyed textiles, creating muted tones, while other textiles are dyed with synthetic pigments in vibrant colours. The transformation of textile - from flexible surface to dense, sculptural form - creates an intriguing material ambiguity. The spiral shapes, craters, folds and protrusions in the works suggest connections to internal and external elements of our bodies, nature, and geology, viewed from a micro and macro perspective.

Common to all her works is their potential for growth and transformation, suggesting a loss of control in the process. Her sculptures evoke multiple layers of interpretation, inviting free associations through the senses, balancing between beauty and unease.

Friis’ works are represented in numerous public and private collections, both nationally and internationally. Among the most notable acquisitions are Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg (2024), Kunstsilo, Kristiansand (2024), Haugar Art Museum, Tønsberg (2021), Haugaland Museum, Haugesund (2021), Sørlandets Kunstmuseum, Kristiansand (2020), The Norwegian Parliament, Oslo (2019), The National Museum, Oslo (2018, 2016), The Museum of Decorative Arts (2017, 2009), The City of Oslo Art Collection (2016), KODE Art Museum, Bergen (2014, 2012), The Art Museum of Northern Norway, Tromsø (2003, 1998), and Arts Council Norway (1996).

Solo (upcoming), QB Gallery, Oslo, NO
2025
Enter Art Fair (group), Copenhagen, DK
2025
Kirjo (group), Oulu Art Museum, Oulu, FI
2025
Contemporary Craft: Hanne Friis (solo), Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, DE
2024-2025
The Present (group), QB Gallery, Oslo, NO
2024
FLOM (solo), Tårnsalen, Kode, Bergen, NO
2024
Hanne Friis/Lynda Benglis (group), Locks Gallery Philadelphia, US
2024
The Thread of your Thought (group), Galerie Maria Wettergren, Paris, FR
2024
Ether (group), Silkeborg Bad, Danmark, DK
2024
Torrent (solo), Maria Wettergren Gallery, Paris, FR
2023
Abundance (group), Galleri F15, Moss, NO
2023
Til Fyret (group), Hå Gamle Prestegaard, Nærbø, NO
2023
Sirkulasjon (solo), Vigelandmuseet, Oslo, NO
2022
As far as my Eyes can Sea (group), Bomuldsfabriken, Arendal
2021
30 grader i februar (group), QB Gallery, Oslo, NO
2021
Nice to (finally) meet you (solo), Seinajoki Kunsthalle, Finland, FI
2020
A Dream Within A Dream (trio), QB Gallery, Oslo, NO
2020
Skjult Mønster (solo), KRAFT, Bergen, NO
2019
Phases (solo), Maria Wettergren Gallery, Paris, FR
2019
Spiral (solo), Trafo Kunsthall, NO
2018
Grand Palais (group), Paris, FR
2019
Revelations, Grand Palais, Paris, FR
2019
Foundation Villa Datris (group), L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, FR
2018
MARSO Gallery (group), Mexico City, MX
2018
Nye ornamenter, ARTendal, Arendal, NO
2017
Nye Ornamenter, NITJA senter for samtidskunst, Lillestrøm, NO
2017
Metamorphoses, Kunstnerforbundet, Oslo, NO
2016
Myke Monumenter (group), KODE Art Museum, Bergen, NO
2015
Henie Onstad Art Centre (group), Høvikodden, NO
2014
Liljevalchs Konsthall, Stockholm, SE
2014
MJUK, Ram Galleri, Oslo, NO
2010
Layers (solo), Gustavsbergs Konsthall, SE
2010

Artwork