On Sunday, Her Majesty Queen Sonja was present on the Norwegian ship MS Roald Amundsen in New York. There, she could announce her collaboration between her art foundation QSPA and the Norwegian shipping company Hurtigruten. The Queen’s QSPA will have the responsibility for the decoration of the new ship, MS Roald Amundsen.
“The unique partnership we are gathered here today to celebrate is the co-operation between Hurtigruten and The Queen Sonja Print Award. Hurtigruten strives to provide their guests with an unforgettable experience. Exquisite art to enjoy on the journey is part of this experience. Hurtigruten and QSPA have joined forces – to create a ship of graphic art,” said Her Majesty the Queen.
In addition to its historic route along the Norwegian coast, Hurtigruten has a number of expedition ships that take guests on expeditions to different parts of the world. The ship is characterised by Scandinavian design – and Norwegian graphics.
HM Queen Sonja. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen / Royal Central.
Her Majesty also shared a bit of common American-Norwegian art history. Her Majesty said: “According to ancient Norwegian history, the Norwegian Viking Leiv Eiriksson discovered America around year 1000. The Viking ships were decorated with the most beautiful wooden carvings: Dragon heads and flowers, ornaments and animals adorned Leif Eiriksson’s ship – as he fought his way through the waves towards Newfoundland, where he first set foot. Today, a 1000 years later – we continue the tradition – and decorate a proud ship – sailing on our oceans on a much more peaceful mission than back in the early Viking age!”
On board of Roald Amundsen in New York, the Queen presented some of her art that an international audience will experience in the future. Nearly 600 works of art will be located at cabins and common areas on this ship from 20 different artists.
Her Majesty Queen Sonja also announced that QSPA is now expanding. “In the same way as QSPA itself, the QSPA Americas Foundation will also aim to create interest in graphics and promote the development of graphic arts,” revealed Her Majesty.
