A little about me

Aina Hartmann, a trained upholsterer, has also completed an apprenticeship in fine arts with a specialization in graphics. Today, she combines her artistic activities with furniture upholstering, which allows her to utilize her full creative spectrum. Hartmann has her permanent studio at the old Veterinary School at Adamstuen in Oslo, where she explores both traditional and innovative graphic techniques. She has participated in many solo and group exhibitions and has also been involved in decoration assignments and specially commissioned artworks.

Her inspiration comes from the vibrant diversity of nature, a source that she sees as invaluable since it is not man-made. Nature is tangible and can be both touched and felt. Hartmann's work is created from experiences, discoveries, research and reflections. In recent years, she has been particularly fascinated by the micro-life in the soil – that which is below the surface and which is essential for the growth and life of nature. Without this foundation, humanity would face great challenges.

This fascination materialized in a large painting, completed in 2020, depicting a myriad of microorganisms interacting with plant roots – a work that emphasizes the modest role of humans in the grand scheme of nature.

Hartmann is also working on a long-term project where she prints/depicts manhole covers from all over Norway. There is a lot of history in the manhole covers around Norway and Hartmann wants to highlight them and make people aware of the history, as well as the art that has emerged and risen from the streets and roads. This unique project started in 2015 and is still ongoing.

In 2024, with support from the Norwegian Agency for Culture, she designed Oslo's first anniversary foam lid on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the city fire in Oslo.

On August 17, 2024, the day of the city fire, the manhole cover was unveiled in the Memorial Park at the Church of the Holy Cross.