Kristian Blystad

Known for his distinctive monumental works in stone, such as Torso (1999) in the former government quarter, Reclining Head II – Dream at Filipstad Brygge (1999), and The Sailing King (1993), a monument in memory of King Olav V at Hankø. He played a significant role in collaboration with Snøhetta on architectural projects such as the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Oslo Opera House roof.

The book covers Blystad’s entire oeuvre, from his early years in Bergen, through exhibitions and acquisitions in the 1990s and 2000s, up to his current creative practice in the quarry at Skjeberg, Østfold.

© Orfeus Publishing
Author: Øivind Storm Bjerke

Publishing editor: Birgitte M. Siem
Design/repro: Halvor Bodin
Photography: Øystein Thorvaldsen, Halvard Haugerud, Halvor Bodin, Øivind Storm Bjerke and more

Orfeus Publishing
Kristian Blystad website

View all projects with Orfeus Publishing here.

2024
19 x 24 cm
464 pages
ISBN: 978-82-93959-106
Livonia Print SIA, 2024, Latvia
Paper: Arctic Matt 150 g/m²
Endpapers: Munken Lynx 150 g/m²
Typography: ABC Arizona
Binding: Open spine, edge milling, blind debossed cardboard, foilblocked with white, coloured threads (7 colours)
Language: Norwegian

Documentation photos above: Øystein Thorvaldsen.
More documentation photos to come.

The book Kristian Blystad is among the selected 23 books for The Most Beautiful Norwegian Books 2025 (Årets vakreste bøker). The exhibition in Oslo is open 28 May–15 June at Grafill in Oslo. Online presentation at grafill.no.

Jury’s Comment
This is a book that confidently translates the artist’s monumental visual language into book form. Its physical presence – weighty, coarse, and rich in detail – mirrors Blystad’s sculptures in a way that feels both authentic and apt. The production choices are numerous: exposed spine, multicoloured thread, milled edges, blind embossing, and foil stamping. It’s a lot, but here everything is rooted in a clear concept and executed with precision and sensitivity to the material. The typesetting is heavy and solid, yet balanced with space and rhythm. Variations in layout and excellent photographs – both of the artworks and the creative process – give the book depth and dynamism. The visual and tactile elements work together in a cohesive and carefully crafted publication that not only documents an artistic practice but also conveys it in a sensuous and physical way. A strong and solid monograph that gives Kristian Blystad’s art a dignified and lasting book format.

“In the competition books with exceptionally high quality in design, creative solutions, and choice of materials are awarded. The aim is to inspire the consistent use of design in book publishing and to highlight everyone involved in creating them.”

Photographs above from Årets vakreste bøker: KUNSTDOK / Istvan Virag.

Juryens kommentar
Dette er en bok som med sikker hånd oversetter kunstnerens monumentale formspråk til bokformatet. Den fysiske tilstedeværelsen – tung, grov og detaljrik – speiler Blystads skulpturer på en måte som oppleves som både troverdig og treffende. Produksjonsgrepene er mange: åpen rygg, flerfarget tråd, freste snitt, blindpreg og foliering. Det er mye, men her er alt forankret i en tydelig idé og gjennomført med presisjon og forståelse for materialet. Satsspeilet er tungt og solid, men balansert med luft og rytme. Variasjon i layout og gode fotografier – både av verk og arbeidsprosess – gir boken dynamikk og dybde. Det visuelle og taktile spiller sammen i en helhetlig og gjennomarbeidet bok, som ikke bare dokumenterer et kunstnerskap, men også formidler det sanselig og fysisk. En sterk og solid monografi som gir Kristian Blystads kunst et verdig og varig bokformat.