Smørklepp kunstmuseum

About the museum

Smørklepp kunstmuseum lies in the forest at Smørklepp in Vinje. In 1927 the painter Henrik Sørensen was looking for a permanent place to work in Telemark, and he stayed with Olav N. Negarden in Vinjesvingen. It was the start of a lifelong friendship. Over the course of 34 years Sørensen kept returning to Smørklepp and Noristog Negarden, where he turned the smithy into a studio. His main motif was the mountain Ånundskarnuten, which was visible from the farmyard.

The gallery was started on the initiative of the painter Sven Oluf Sørensen, son of Henrik Sørensen. The building in natural stone was completed in 1991 and was designed by the architect Bjart Mohr. Until 2022 the museum was called Vinje biletgalleri (Vinje picture gallery), when it was given the name Smørklepp kunstmuseum.

The collection consists of many of Henrik Sørensen's paintings, and Harald Kihle, who lived and worked together with Sørensen at Smørklepp, is also represented. Sørensenhytta (Sørensen's cabin) next to the museum opened in summer 2023 and shows exhibitions and some of the old furniture and objects from the cabin, which Sørensen bought in 1951.

Highlights

• Large collection of paintings by Henrik Sørensen
• Works by Harald Kihle
• Sørensenhytta with old furniture and objects
• Building in natural stone from 1991, designed by Bjart Mohr
• Location in the landscape Sørensen painted

Permanent exhibition

• Henrik Sørensen og Harald Kihle – Permanent exhibition with paintings by Henrik Sørensen and works by Harald Kihle, as well as a studio and Sørensenhytta.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Vest-Telemark Museum

Admission & discounts

With a ticket to one of the Vest-Telemark Museum's museums you get half price at the next museum on the same day. Prices are stated for the 2027 season.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The road from the car park to the museum is about 400 metres on a forest road with a gentle slope. Motorists with mobility impairments can drive all the way up, but the road is narrow, stony and uneven. The museum is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

From Mjonøy a hiking trail leads up to the museum.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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