Advertise on podcast: Nordic Portraits

Bjarke Ingels is a world-renowned architect who has spent the past two decades building a reputation as one of the leading forces in the design and construction of buildings globally.  In 2005, he founded BIG: Bjarke Ingels Group, which today comprises more than 700 employees and has been responsible for many of the world’s most innovative and striking architectural designs.  In addition, Bjarke has published a number of critically acclaimed books and in 2016, was named as one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People. Explore more of Bjarke's work here

Kim Munk is a songwriter and musician best known as the frontman for Danish power pop band The Broken Beats.  As the creative force behind such hit songs such as ‘Essentials’ and ‘The Rules’, Kim has garnered critical praise for his sophisticated arrangements and charismatic live performances, the result of almost two decades of endless touring - seeing the band build a loyal cult following throughout Europe.   Explore more of Kim's work here

A K Dolven is a multi-disciplinary artist working with painting, film, sculpture, sound and performance.  Primarily operating out of her atelier in Kvalnes, located above the Arctic Circle, her work often deals with the representation of natural forces and their resonance with human sensibilities.  A K has exhibited extensively internationally over the past four decades and she is the recipient of the prestigious Prince Eugen Medal and Fred Thieler Prize.   Explore more of A K's work here 

Kaspar Bonnén is a multi-disciplinary artist working with painting, ceramics, installation and poetry.  His work often explores themes of memory, identity and sense of place - with depictions of his childhood environment acting as a recurring motif.  Kaspar is also a critically-acclaimed author of such novels as ‘Ind Til Min Mor’ and ‘Bag Om Min Far’.  He is a recipient of the prestigious Eckersberg Medal and his work is part of the permanent collections of Statens Museum of Kunst and ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum.   Explore more of Kaspar's work here

Ida Ekblad is an artist whose practice incorporates painting, sculpture, performance filmmaking as well as poetry.  Her expressive paintings are noted for their bold application of colour and unique compositions, nodding to historical movements such as CoBrA and Abstract Expressionism whilst teetering on the edge of what one might define as ‘good taste’.  Heralded by many as the preeminent voice of the Norwegian contemporary art scene, Ida’s work has been acquired by a number of world’s most prestigious institutions and she has twice participated in the Venice Biennale.  Explore Ida's work here

Jussi Adler-Olsen is a Danish author who rose to international prominence in 2007 with his thriller ‘Kvinden i buret’ or The Keeper of Lost Causes’ - the first instalment in the successful Department Q series, which has sold more than 30 million copies and been translated into over 40 languages.  As a New York Times bestselling author, Jussi has amassed a number of major literary awards and established himself as the pre-eminent voice in the world of Nordic thriller fiction. Explore more of Jussi's work here

Jussi Adler-Olsen is a Danish author who rose to international prominence in 2007 with his thriller ‘Kvinden i buret’ or The Keeper of Lost Causes’ - the first instalment in the successful Department Q series, which has sold more than 30 million copies and been translated into over 40 languages.  As a New York Times bestselling author, Jussi has amassed a number of major literary awards and established himself as the pre-eminent voice in the world of Nordic thriller fiction. Explore more of Jussi's work here

Apolonia Sokol is a French-Polish visual artist who grew up in Denmark before returning to Paris to establish herself as one of the leading voices of her generation in art today.  As the subject of Lea Glob’s 2022 Academy Award shortlisted documentary ‘Apolonia, Apolonia’ she has since become globally recognised - both for her compelling personal story, as well as the way in which her art boldly explores themes of gender identity, activism and social power dynamics.  Explore more of Apolonia's work here

Iben Hjejle is an actor of both screen and stage, who burst onto the international scene with her critically-acclaimed performance in Søren Kragh Jacobsen’s Dogme 95 classic Mifunes Sidste Sang as well as starring in Stephen Frear’s romantic comedy hit, High Fidelity.  In addition, Iben has become a household name in her native Denmark by virtue of her memorable roles in Langt Fra Las Vegas, Klovn, Dicte as well as stage productions of Faust, Hamlet and Jordens Indre.  

Petra Kleis is a photographer, best known for her striking portraits of Denmark’s biggest names from the world of art, music, film and politics.  Having ascended to the country’s most sought-after fashion and portrait photographer, Petra also continues to develop long term art projects including 2019’s critically acclaimed monograph ‘Girlification’ - lauded by many for its bold exploration of female sexuality and positive body image.   Explore more of Petra's work here

Nina Persson is a musician and songwriter best known as the frontwoman for Swedish rock band The Cardigans. Following their breakthrough global megahit ‘Lovefool’ the band released a string of commercial and critically successful albums, having sold over 15 million records to date.  In addition, Nina has lent her songwriting and vocal prowess to a range of solo and collaborative projects, most recently with Scottish folk musician James Yorkston and the Secondhand Orchestra.

Nikolaj Lies Kaas is an actor, writer and director who rose to prominence as a fresh-faced 17-year old with his award-winning performance in the 1991 Danish classic Drengene fra Sankt Petri.  Since then, Nikolaj has become a household name by virtue of starring in such seminal films as Blinkende Lygter, Dirch and the Department Q film series as well as most recently in Charlotte Sieling’s drama/thriller, Vejen Hjem.   

Bjørnstjerne Christiansen is a founding member of Superflex, a Danish art collective formed in 1993 together with Jakob Fenger and Rasmus Nielsen.   Superflex’s diverse body of work has taken on the form of sculptures, energy systems, beverages, hypnosis sessions, infrastructure, paintings, plant nurseries, contracts, and public spaces.  Exploring themes of economic forces, power structures and climate change, Superflex’s projects have been exhibited globally, including MoMa, New York and Tate Modern, London.    Explore more of Superflex's work here

Karin ‘Mamma’ Andersson or simply Mamma Andersson as she’s more commonly known, is one of Sweden's most internationally-recognised visual artists.  With a career spanning over thirty years, Mamma is renowned for her technical prowess and nuanced exploration of such themes as memory, femininity and folklore - often depicted in melancholic landscapes and domestic interiors. She represented the Nordic Pavilion for the 50th Venice Biennale and her paintings are included in the permanent collections of such prestigious institutions as MoMA, New York and Centre Pompidou, Paris. Explore more of Mamma's work here

Kjetil Trædal Thorsen is an architect and co-founder of the world-renowned firm Snøhetta.  Responsible for such high-profile projects as the Oslo Opera House, Alexandra Library, September 11 Memorial Museum Pavillion and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Kjetil and his team have built a strong reputation for pushing new boundaries in architecture and helping to constantly question and redefine its role in society today. Explore more of Kjetil's work here: www.snohetta.com