Håkon Bleken

Håkon Ingvald Bleken (9 January 1929 – 21 January 2025) was a Norwegian painter and graphic artist.

Bleken is represented in several museums in Norway, including the National Museum in Oslo and art museums in Trondheim and Bergen. He illustrated a number of books, and contributed to decoration of churches and public buildings. He was decorated Commander of the Order of St. Olav.

Background Bleken was born in Trondheim on 9 January 1929, He died in Trondheim on 21 January 2025, at the age of 96. His funeral service was held in Nidaros Cathedral, where Minister of Culture Lubna Jaffery, Åge Aleksandersen and Arve Tellefsen were among the attendants.

Education and work as an artist Bleken started his art education at Trondheim art school, where he studied under Karsten Keiseraas and from 1948 to 1949. He then studied at the Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts in Oslo under professor Jean Heiberg from 1949 to 1952. In 1950, he participated in the etching class at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry under Chrix Dahl. From 1953 to 1954 he was a student at Statens Sløyd- og Tegnelærerskole in Notodden.

Bleken worked as a senior scientific officer at the Institute of Form and Colour Studies at the Norwegian Institute of Technology from 1960 to 1972.

Works A series of coal sketches called Fragmenter av et diktatur (Fragments of a dictatorship) from 1971 was his definitive breakthrough as an artist. The paintings were retrieved by the police on 28 December, when they were found rolled up in a small storage room in Heimdal.

Awards In 1990, Bleken was awarded Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav. In 2005 he was awarded Anders Jahre's culture prize. The regional newspaper Adresseavisen pronounced Bleken "Trønder of the year" in 2003. He has also been awarded several other minor culture prizes.