Take a walk at night. Walk so silently that the bottoms of your feet become ears. - Pauline Oliveros
Ina Otzko (b. 1972, Sandnessjøen) is a visual artist based in Northern Norway and Italy. Her work revolves around questions of connections, communication and belonging - visible and invisible. Through a deep listening approach she explores time, space and consciousness. How our individual and collective energy exchange affects our choices, bringing/creating changes in how we perceive and relate to ourselves, others, our surroundings and life on Earth. She works project based and her artistic production manifests through various media including photography, video, sound, text, sculpture, performance.
Ina Otzko additionally works as an independent curator, art advisor and consultant for the private and public sector and is registered in KORO's public art register. One of her projects is the well received tome, 100 Norwegian Photographers, published by Hatje Cantz, which was launched at Fotografie Forum Frankfurt and exhibited at the Norwegian Pavilion The dream we carry at the Frankfurt Book fair in October 2019. In 2018 she was the first recipient of the Art Award Twendeprisen for her artistic achievements and engagement within the arts. Certified Deep Listening® Teacher since 2022 from The Center for Deep Listening at Rensselaer NY. Initiator and co-founder of the artist-run organization ArtBase Helgeland 66N, which was awarded the Alstahaug municipality's cultural prize 2021 for having completed particularly significant work for and within the arts and culture of the municipality in October 2022. Part of the Phase7 team (curator and fine arts) / opening ceremony for Bodø2024, European Culture Capital.
Member of
The Association of Norwegian Visual Artists / NBK
Bildende Kunstneres Forening Rogaland / BKFR
The Association of North Norwegian Visual Artists / NNBK
The Norwegian Association for Fine Art Photographers / FFF
Norske Kunsthåndverkere / NK
Performance Art Bergen / PAB
EDUCATION
2010-2012 MA Sound Studies / Universität der Künste, Berlin, DE
2005-2007 MFA Fine Art / Goldsmiths College University of London, UK
2003- 2004 MA Image & Communication / Goldsmiths College University of London, UK
COURSES / WORKSHOPS
2022 Academy of Rhytmorphology / ARm #1, Slettnes Lighthouse, Gamvik, NO
2021-2022 Deep Listening II, Certified Deep Listening® Teacher / The Center for Deep Listening at Rensselaer NY, US
2020 Deep Listening I / The Center for Deep Listening at Rensselaer NY, US
2018 50 Hrs Yin Yoga TT Certified Yin Yoga Teacher (Yoga Alliance) Ashiyana Yoga School, Goa, IN
2014 Usui Reiki Master / Teacher Aseema Gjestad, Stavanger, NO
2012 200 Hrs YTT Certified Yoga Teacher (Yoga Alliance) Ashiyana Yoga School, Goa, IN
2012 Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology / Grunnmedisin, Tunsberg Medical School /HiNT nord-Trøndelag University College, NO
2009 Action Theater Training 1-1 / Improvisations with Sabine von der Tann, Potsdam, DE
2009 Butoh workshop / Minako Seki, Berlin, DE
2002-2003 Art History / Kunsthistorie grunnfag, HiS / University of Stavanger, NO
2001 Usui Reiki I-III / Teacher Aseema Gjestad, Stavanger, NO
2000-2001 Informatics / Informatikk, HiNe / Nord Universitet, NO
2000 Photography workshop / Joyce Tenneson, Vågå, NO
SOLO EXHIBITIONS & PROJECTS
2024 Mnemosyne / Muratcentoventidue, Bari, IT
2023 Surrender / Galleri Nord-Norge, Harstad, NO
2023 Petter Dass Museet, Alstahaug, NO (Screening selected video works)
2023 Portal / Small Projects, Tromsø, NO
2022 TRE: Flyt | Bevegelse | Rytme, ArtBase Helgeland / Sandnessjøen, NO
2022 Slowly becoming light, Festspillkunstner Festspillene Helgeland / Vefsn Museum, NO
2019-2020 Galleri SYN / Artist of the year, NorlandiArt, Lovund Hotel, NO
2017-2019 100 NORWEGIAN PHOTOGRAPHERS / web-project and Book (Initiator/Curator /Editor)
2019 Jeg er her, kan du føle det? / Vadsø Art Society, NO
2018 Jeg er her, kan du føle det? / Bodø Art Society, NO
2018 Didyme / Libreria delle Donne di Milano, IT
2017 Landscape – Soundscape / Ina Otzko & Alois Späth / Ingo Seufert Gallery for Contemporary Photography, Munich, DE
2015 Sono qui, puoi sentirlo? / Museum Castel dell’Ovo, Naples, IT
2014 Longing & Belonging / Ingo Seufert Gallery for Contemporary Photography, Munich, DE
2013 Interiører/Interiors 72/12, Nordisk Samtidspoesifestival, Hamar Art Society / Collaboration with Hanne Bramness, NO
2012 FALLING FOR RELIGION / NNKS, Blackbox / Svolvær, NO
2011 N E W S / Installasjon fasade NNKS / Svolvær, NO
2011 FALLING FOR RELIGION / Galleri Backer, Vestfold University, Tønsberg, NO
2011 N E W S / Barents Spektakel, Kirkenes, NO
2010 Firmus Female, Festspillkunstner Petter Dass-dagene, Alstahaug, NO
2009 The orange tree, Vestfold Art Center / Tønsberg, NO
2008 The orange tree, Alstahaug Art Society, Sandnessjøen, NO
2003 Masculine and Feminine Landscapes in Dialogue, Gallery OXO, London, UK
GROUP EXHIBITIONS / PROJECTS (selection)
2024 Durden & Ray, Los Angeles, US
2023 Nordkappmuseet / Anniversary exhibition for the Fresnel lighthouse lens 200 years
2023 UrbanSoundArt, Drive-In Sound Art, Galleri Ruth / Fredrikstad, NO
2022 Survey Exhibition #1 Elemental / Small Projects, Tromsø, NO
2022 It Was Meant for All Things to Meet / Galleri Nord-Norge, Harstad, NO (4 artists)
2021 Time-Space-Existence, with Bjørnådal Architects / Venice Biennial Architecture Exhibition, ECC, IT
2021 AURA Lyd / Galleri Ruth: Drive-In Sound Art, Ørje, NO
2021 AURA Video, Vadsø Art Society, / Terminal B, Kirkenes, NO / Visual Container TV - Online Video Art Platform, IT
2021 EQUINOX, Bodø Art Society, NO
2021 Hildring, Tromsø Art Society, NO
2021 Understrømmer, Galleri Nord-Norge, NO
2020 Shore line / Arkhangelsk Regional Lore Museum, Arkhangelsk, RU
2020 In Isolation: You, Me, We / Lucie Foundation & Musee Magazine Online Exhibition
2020 The Female Body - Kvinnekroppen / Arteriet, Kristiansand, NO
2019 NordlandiART / Stormen Kulturhus galleri, Bodø, NO
2019 LOOK NORTH / FINN Arctic Arts Festival, Harstad, NO
2019 Vetrine di Libertà / Fabbrica del Vapore, Milan, IT
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 NordlandiART / Stormen Galleri, Bodø, NO
2019 HEAR NORTH / Harstad Arctic Arts Festival Radio 101.9 /105 FM
2018 Lofoten Sound Art Symposium / Listening Lounge / NyMusikk Nordland, NO
2018 Sonic Vision Nordland / Sortland Cinema, NO
2018 Kronstadt Stories – 3. Slowness, Museum of the history of Saint-Petersburg, Museum of printing, RU
2017 You cannot know it from the picture / SIM gallery, Reykjavik, IS
2017 It helps to anticipate things that have not happened / SIM Gallery, Reykjavik, IS
2017 Transpositions II, St.Petersburg Museum of Nonconformist Art, RU
2017 Selected video works / Winter Lights Festival, Vasulka Chamber, The National Gallery of Iceland, IS
2017 AIAIP / Contemporary Visions – Video Art in Loop / 57 locations, 10 Countries
2017 Xi'an Silk Road festival, CN
2017 We are what we breathe / Magmart Festival 10th edition, Video under volcano, Naples, IT
2017 Ibrida*Pluri Festival, Eastern Block / Montreal, CA
2016 Rhetorics of Power / St. Petersburg Museum of Nonconformist Art, RU
2016 Arkhangelsk International Photofestival, RU
2016 #Tegning #Verk #Verktøy / Galleri Nord Norge, Harstad, NO
2015 Ingo Seufert Gallery for Contemporary Photography, München, DE
2014 12 Falsa Ark (54 Artists) / The North Norwegian Art Center, Svolvær, NO
2014 12 Falsa Ark Tour (24 Artists) / Sortland / Midt-Troms Museum / Kirkenes / Meløy / Petter Dass Museum, NO
2014 Reflex / Helgeland Museum, Mosjøen, NO
2013 Intro 15 / Ingo Seufert Gallery for Contemporary Photography, München, DE
2013 Pop Hits / ArtSpace Rhein-Main, Offenbach, DE
2013 Reflex / Sami Center for Contemporary Art, Karasjok, NO
2013 Reflex / Luleå Konsthall, SE
2012 Reflex / The North Norwegian Art Center, Svolvær, NO
2012 P&P Bell Set No #1 / 8th Berlin International Directors Lounge, Berlin, DE
2012 Imaginary Landscapes 1-4 / Hommage to John Cage Be my guest / Arctic Art Festival, Harstad, NO
2011 As Time goes by / The North Norwegian Art Center (NNKS), Svolvær, NO
2011 CRACK* / Kommunale Galerie Berlin, DE
2011 Pop Hits / Based in Berlin / Monbijoupark, Berlin, DE
2011 Pop Hits / Tanzschule Projects / München, DE
2011 21/11 Screening NEW SCREEN 10-11. September, NEW-CASTLE, UK
2010 Timeless Breath Exchange I+II / Verwertung- Interdisziplinäre Kunstfestival, DE
2010 Hommage à Iver Jåks / Balestrand, Fredrikstad, Hamar, Seljord, Stavanger and Oslo Art Society, NO
2010, 2009, 2007 One minute International film & video festival, Arrau, CH
2009 The Affluenza Exhibition, London, UK
2008 Hommage à Iver Jåks / Alta Kunstforening / Grenseland Museet, Kirkenes / NNKS, Svolvær, NO
2008 Pubertet / Puberty / Haugar Vestfold Art Museum, Tønsberg, NO
2008 The orange tree / Illuminators, «Koltsovo» Airport (Yekaterinburg) RU
2004 CROSSBREED MA Image & Communication Degree show, Menier Gallery, London, UK
ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITIONS
2008, 2017, 2019, 2020 Den Nord-Norske Kunstutstilling / Travelling Exhibition, Northern Norway
2006 Den 119. Høstutstilling / The Norwegian State Annual Exhibition, Norway
ART FAIRS / BOOK FAIRS
2022 Paris Photo OVR / Small Projects, FR
2023, 2022, 2021 Supermarket, Stockholm Independent Art Fair / Small Projects, SE
2021 Juxtapose Art Fair, Aarhus / Small Projects, DK
2021 Cosmoscow, Moscow / Small Projects, RU (Online)
2020 Art Book Fair Bastard, Lillehammer - 100 Norwegian Photographers, NO
2019 Norwegian Pavilion, Norway Guest of Honor, Norla, Frankfurter Buchmesse - 100 Norwegian Photographers, DE
2019 Frankfurter Buchmesse / Hatje Cantz Verlag, - 100 Norwegian Photographers, DE
2019 Paris Photo / Hatje Cantz Verlag, - 100 Norwegian Photographers, FR
2018 Cosmoscow, Moscow / Sunderø Art Gallery, RU
2009 Paris Photo / Eric Franck Fine Art, FR
2009 London Art Fair / Eric Franck Fine Art, UK
GRANTS / PROJECT SUPPORT
2023, 2022, 2018, 2015 BKV / Bildende Kunstneres Vederlagsfond, grant
2021 Norsk Fotografisk Fond
2021 BKV / Bildende Kunstneres Vederlagsfond, 1-year Work grant
2021, 2017, 2015, 2012 Nordland County Council, Travel grant
2020, 2017 Norwegian State Art Grant / Statens Kunstnerstipend, Diversestipend
2022, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2005 Norwegian State Exhibition Grant, Regional Project support
2019, 2017, 2012 BKV / Bildende Kunstneres Vederlagsfond, Project support
2019 BKH / Bildende Kunstneres Hjelpefond, Project support
2019 Fritt Ord, Project support
2016, 2012, 2010 BKH / Bildende Kunstneres Hjelpefond, Travel grant Ny Ålesund
2016, 2015, 2014, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007 Nordland County Council, Project support
2013, 2006 Ingrid Lindbäck Langaards Stiftelse, Grant
2016, 2013 Kulturnæringsstiftelsen, Project support
2016, 2008 North Norwegian Art Center, Project support
2015, 2012 Den Norsk-Tyske Willy-Brandt-stiftelsen, Project support
2016, 2015 Barents Secretariat / Barentskult, Project support
2022-2006 Alstahaug Municipality Business Fund
COLLECTIONS / PUBLIC COMMISSIONS / AWARDS
2022 Alstahaug Municipality Culture Award 2021 for ArtBase Helgeland
2022, 2019 Harstad Municipality, NO
2021 Meløy Helse og Velferdssenter, NO
2018 Gildeskål Municipality, NO
2018 Twende Art Award / Twendeprisen, NO
2018 Twende Artist wine, label and graphic print / Stiftelsen Twende & Enrico Rivetto, IT/NO
2017 Pikene på Broen / Terminal B, NO
2017 Vasulka Chambers Archives / National Gallery of Iceland, IS
2017 Nordland County Council, Polarsirkelen Videregående skole, NO
2016 IPA International Photo Awards / Family of Man / Winner / Honorable Mention
2016 NCCA / National Centre for Contemporary Arts in Kronstadt, St. Petersburg, RU
2016 St. Petersburg Museum of Nonconformist Art, RU
2014 Eric Franck Fine Art Collection, London, UK
2014 Ingo Seufert Gallery for Contemporary Photography, Munich, DE
2011 Nordland County Council, Sandnessjøen Videregående skole, NO
2011 N E W S / for NNKS – Mind The Map! / Barents Spektakel, Kirkenes, NO
2011 FALLING FOR RELIGION / Galleri Backer, Vestfold University, NO
2011 SKARV FPSO, British Petroleum / BP Norge AS
2006 Alstahaug Municipality, NO
2006 Haugaland DPS, Rogaland Art Center, NO
2003 Helgeland Kraft AS, Mosjøen, NO
ILLUSTRATIONS
2018 Skeiseferd og andre dikt, Gerður Kristny / Nordsjøforlaget / illustrations & cover
2018 Ein lysare eld, Lennart Sjögren / Nordsjøforlaget / cover
2017 DIKT I SAMLING, Frances Horovitz / Interp. by Lars Amund Vaage / Nordsjøforlaget / cover
2017 DIKT HUSKER STEMMEN, Sigurdur Pàlsson / Nordsjøforlaget / cover
2016 Drapà, Gerður Kristny / Nordsjøforlaget / illustrations & cover
2010 Adopsjonspapirene (Jackie Kay) oversatt av H. Bramness / Nordsjøforlaget / illustrations & cover
2010 A Calender in Colour (2011) / Hanne Bramness / illustrations
RESIDENCIES
2019 The Arctic Hideaway / Fordypningsrommet Fleinvær, NO
2019 Finnmark County Council AiR, Vadsø, NO
2018 The Mothership, New York, US
2017 Vasulka Chamber Residency, National Gallery of Iceland, IS
2016 Kola Residency Roadtrip Russia / Pikene på Broen, NO
2016 NCCA / National Centre for Contemporary Arts in Kronstadt, St.Petersburg, RU
2015 Pushkinskaya-10, St. Petersburg, Russia / High-North AiR, RU
2015 Arkhangelsk International Cultural Center, Russia / High-North AiR RU
2013 Obrestad Fyr, Hå Gamle Prestegård, Rogaland, NO
2011, 2012, 2016 NBK Kunstnerhytta, Ny-Ålesund / Longyearbyen, Svalbard, SJ
BOARDS / COMMITTEES
2023-2027 NNKS / The North Norwegian Art Center / Deputy chair 2023-2024
2023-2025 Norsk Yogalærerforbund / Chairwoman
2023-2025 nyMusikk Nordland / Board member
2023-2025 Tverrfaglig kunstutvalg / Interdisciplinary art committee, Tromsø kommune
2019-2023 NBK / Norwegian Association of Visual Artists / Board member - Deputy chair from 01.08.2022
2021-2025 Artica Svalbard / appointed by KUD - Ministry of Culture / Board member
2021-2023 nyMusikk Nordland / Board member (deputy)
2019- Stiftelsen Twende / Artistic Advisory Board
2021- MEIN / Museer er ikke nøytrale / Board member / deputy chair
2015-2022 NNBK / North Norwegian Association of Visual Artists / Chairwoman (4 periods)
2019-2022 Kulturnettverk Nord
2020-2021 Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum / appointed by NNBK / NKNN / Board member (deputy)
2011-2020 LIAF / Lofoten International Art Festival / Artistic Advisory Board
2019-2020 Regional Project funds, Autumn / Rep. FFF / Nomination Committee + Allocation Committee
2017-2018 Curatorial Program for Research, Dimming The Northern Light / Jury member
2008-2010 NNBK / North Norwegian Association of Visual Artists / Board member
CURATORIAL PROJECTS (selection) current*
Sortland Ungdomsskole / Sortland kommune
Olderskog skole / Vefsn kommune
Narvik Brannstasjon / Ofoten Brann / Narvik kommune
Grønnåsen skole - Community Landscape / Tromsø kommune
Straumsbukta skole / Tromsø kommune*
Helsehuset Harstad / Harstad kommune*