Telenor’s Culture Prize is awarded every year to individuals, groups or institutions in Scandinavia that have distinguished themselves within music, film, literature, visual arts or performing arts. The prize is awarded both established and new artists.
Hiorthøy is a multidisciplinary artist in every sense of the word, and holds a unique position in Norwegian cultural life. With his distinctive and playful style, he is an inspiration to many, having won awards as an illustrator and designer and critical acclaim for his work as a visual artist.
“Kim Hiorthøy masters, challenges and explores a variety of artistic forms of expression, formats and channels of communication, both nationally and internationally. He expresses himself as a visual artist, illustrator, choreographer, director, writer and musician, all of which is marked with a lucid and distinct signature. His boundless versatility is his core strength,” says Ingrid Kindem, leader of the jury.
“Challenging boundaries, exploring new ways of working and mastering diverse disciplines are qualities we value highly at Telenor. We are therefore particularly pleased that Kim Hiorthøy has been named this year’s Culture Prize winner. He is an artist with an exceptionally broad scope who is constantly developing,” says Telenor Group CEO Sigve Brekke.
The prize of NOK 500 000 will be presented the winner during a gala performance at Oslo Concert Hall on 17 June.
“I’m very surprised – quite baffled actually – and very happy to be receiving such a fantastic work grant,” says prize winner Kim Hiorthøy.
The jury of 2019
Ingrid Kindem, musician, composer and leader of the jury, Lars Saabye Christensen, author, Martin Eia-Revheim, House manager at Sparebankstiftelsen, Asta Busingye Lydersen, actress and singer in Queendom, and Randi Enebakk Due, Telenor Group’s representative.
About the Culture Prize
Since 1995 the Telenor Culture Prize has been awarded annually to performing artists or institutions that have made an extraordinary contribution to culture in Scandinavia, and have also gained international recognition.