When the 70s are now over, Kunstnernes Hus is celebrating its 50th anniversary. In other words, there is reason to look at both our recent and distant past. Among other things, the event in the summer of 1980 will be marked with a large anniversary exhibition, where we will present selected Norwegian and foreign works of art that have been exhibited here over the years. Due to space considerations, however, this exhibition will be limited to painting and sculpture, and will only extend to approx. 1970.

When Kunstnernes Hus has chosen to start its anniversary year with a large graphics exhibition, it is not only because we want graphics to be represented in the anniversary year, but also because the 70s have been an exceptionally rich time for Norwegian graphics - yes, you could feel tempted to call the period the ten years of graphics.

Here at Huset, we have been able to register this breakthrough for graphics in breadth, diversity and quality, both at the Autumn exhibition, separate exhibitions, the Graphics Wall, and most recently last autumn with the exhibition Hayter and his Norwegian students.

With so many outstanding graphic artists we now have in Norway, it goes without saying that it has been very difficult to make a selection. We have concentrated on younger artists, and endeavored to show the breadth of techniques, visual content and forms of expression. Although the exhibition could have been put together in a completely different way, we still hope these glimpses give a picture of Norwegian graphics in the 70s.

We thank Dag Fyri who has been our consultant in the work on this exhibition.

Thorstein Rittun, Chairman of the Board