Art

As an art student at Silkeborg Højskole you will explore the artistic fields of painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramics and graphic art. With your classmates you will experiment with different artistic processes and explore beauty as well as the absurd.

What is art at Silkeborg Højskole?
Art provides us with means of communication and interpersonal understanding. Art gives us the tools to communicate visually, express who we are, and leave our mark on the world.

Through art, we can convey our thoughts, tell stories, and express emotions. Through art, we can point to the beautiful, the ugly, the hidden aspects of life, thereby opening up dialogue and spark debate.

Working with art at Silkeborg Højskole will challenge you and aid in developing your skills and technique, but it is your engagement, curiosity, enthusiasm, and openness that set the bar for your personal development.

What do we do in class?
In class, we take on technical exercises, creative processes, and discussions. We work in the spectrum between idea development, experimentation, and honing our craft. Art is about both improving technically, gaining a greater understanding of materials, practicing coming up with ideas, and having the courage to dare and the ability to make those ideas a reality.

We work broadly within all conceivable genres and forms of expression such as drawing, painting, ceramics, graphic printmaking, sculpture, installation, street art/land art, architecture, etc. All in an attempt to sharpen your senses and awareness, spark curiosity, wonder and reflection.

The art lessons are built around a series of inspiring programs where we immerse ourselves in various artistic disciplines.

Drawing – See beyond the subject
In the drawing course, we train the eye to see the world in new ways. We work with a wide range of techniques and media to capture our surroundings and develop a unique line. Here, we dive into life drawing, portraiture, and blind drawing, while also going out into nature or museums to sketch what we see. The exercises help you release preconceived notions of how something “should” look and instead capture the essence of the subject.

Form – Sculpture and spatial exploration
In this program, we work three-dimensionally with selected materials and techniques. We experiment with design projects in architecture, ceramics, sculpture, and/or bronze casting. We explore how materials can be shaped and combined to create exciting expressions – possibly in the form of an installation or an experimental sculpture.

Painting – Color, composition, and expression
Here, you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in painting as we work with composition and color expression to create moods and stories on the canvas. The focus is on developing your own painting style through inspiration from other artists and guidance from the teacher.

Individual project – Your personal expression
The semester ends with an individual project where you have the chance to work in a medium of your choice. With personal guidance, you will develop your own theme and work with materials that support your artistic expression. The process culminates in a joint exhibition at the school, where we celebrate the creative processes and results.

Art and reality
Art at Silkeborg Folk High School is primarily a practical subject, but discussions about what art is and how it affects us are part of daily conversations about our own work and in encounters with art-historical and contemporary relevant works and artists.

Throughout the semester, we visit various exhibitions or artists who may inspire us with their practice. For example, each semester we participate in a bronze workshop with the artist Thomas Andersson.

Engaging with contemporary art scenes, we seek to unfold the present trends in our own interpretations, discussions, and exercises.

Main subjects are primarily taught in Danish. However, relevant English translation will be provided for international students.