The University's Beat Art Collection

A substantial part of the University of Agder's art collection is a gift from Reidar Wennesland, originally from Kristiansand, and a doctor in San Francisco from the 1950's until he died in the eighties.

Michael Bowen: Love med fregner. Tempera på papir. Udatert.

Reidar Wennesland (1908-1985)

Reidar Wennesland was born in Kristiansand in 1908. After graduating from Kristiansand Cathedral School, he went to medical school and became a doctor. In 1947 he immigrated to USA and established a medical practice in San Francisco. As a young student, he started to collect art, and he continued to do so in California. This resulted in a large collection of contemporary art, primarily beat art, in addition to oriental and pre-Columbian art.

In the seventies, he donated large parts of his art collection to Kristiansand Cathedral School and to Agder Regional College.

Further information on the website of the Wennesland Collection.

When the University of Agder's new campus was opened at Gimlemoen in 2001, the university's art collection was given a substantial boost. The collection now includes works by Jenny Holzer, Per Inge Bjørlo, Mette Stausland, Torill Nøst, Mari Slaatelid, Jeanette Christensen, Kristine Hjertholm,Eline Mugaas, Tom Sandberg, Astrid Nondal, Mette Tronvoll, Signe Marie Andersen.

Published by Ellen Frivold <Ellen.FrivoldSPAMFILTER@uia.no>,Clare Jortveit <clare.jortveitSPAMFILTER@hia.no> 08/10/2009