Advertise on podcast: Nordic Portraits

Leonora Christina Skov is an acclaimed author, whose 2018 autobiography ‘Den, Der Lever Stille’ (The One Who Lives Quietly) catapulted her to critical and mainstream recognition and was since voted the greatest Danish book of the last 20 years.  Her 2021 followup ‘Hvis vi ikke taler om det’ continues her autobiographical approach to exploring social taboos such as familial neglect, discrimination and abuse of power.  Leonora’s work has been translated into several languages and she is the recipient of the prestigious De Gyldne Laurbær.

Anthony Dod Mantle is an Academy Award-winning cinematographer, responsible for such films as Slumdog Millionaire, 28 Days Later, Dogville, Rush, and The Last King of Scotland.  In addition, Anthony was one of the pioneering voices in the Dogme 95 movement, having soared to international recognition for his collaboration with Thomas Vinterberg on the 1998 instant classic Festen (The Celebration).

Tori Wrånes is a multi-disciplinary, or as she herself likes to call it ‘trans-disciplinary’ artist working largely with performance, sound, sculpture and installation.  Her immersive, fantastical, world-building shows challenge the viewer to rethink traditional ideas of identity, language, social hierarchy and the human body itself.  Tori has performed and exhibited her work in all corners of the globe and was most recently given the honour of representing the Nordic Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale.   Explore more of Tori's work here

Caspar Eric is a poet and activist, whose 2014 debut ‘7/11’ was lauded for its searingly honest depiction of heartbreak, desire, sex, drugs and boredom as a 20-something navigating life in Copenhagen.  Caspar’s unique writing style, infused with pop culture references has led him to be dubbed the nation’s preeminent ‘internet poet’ as well as the voice of the hashtag generation.  Largely autobiographical, Caspar’s work also deals with the reality of navigating life as someone with cerebral palsy.   Explore more of Caspar's work here

Pilou Asbæk is a critically-acclaimed actor, who first made a name for himself in the Danish political drama Borgen, with his breakthrough performance as spin doctor Kasper Juul.  Since then, Pilou has entrenched himself as a leading man on the global stage by virtue of major roles in Game of Thrones, Foundation, Ghost in the Shell, A War and most recently with the Amazon series Slangedræber (Snake Killer).

Alexander Tovborg is an internationally-acclaimed visual artist whose work largely deals with themes of faith, doubt, organised religion and personal ideology.  His expansive world-building includes large-scale paintings, sculptural works, installation and performance - often echoing a visual language synonymous with places of worship.  Alexander has exhibited extensively in his native Denmark as well as abroad and his work is part of the permanent collection of such institutions as Moderna Museet in Stockholm and Hammer Museum of Los Angeles.   Explore more of Alex's work here

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.