Textile Art in Oslo, Norway

Photographing Textile Art in Oslo: Aleksander Sahr’s “Watch Me Work”

As an Oslo-based photographer, I’ve had the opportunity to work across many disciplines—fashion, portraiture, commercial, and editorial. But this recent session was something special: I had the pleasure of photographing the work of Aleksander Sahr, a renowned Norwegian textile artist and fashion researcher, at my photography studio in Oslo.

While I’ve photographed fashion for years, this was my first deep dive into the world of textile art photography in Norway. And what a powerful introduction it was.

Sahr’s pieces are not made for wear—they are art objects, rich in symbolism and purpose. His textiles have been exhibited at the National Gallery of Norway, and he plays a key role in organizing Oslo Fashion Week, blending art, fashion theory, and cultural commentary in bold, subversive ways.

The series I photographed included six pieces from his performance-based work titled “Watch Me Work” (2022)—a nine-day living installation examining labor, presence, and gender. These pieces blur the line between garment and sculpture, often incorporating classical draping techniques that immediately drew me in as someone who admires Greek antiquities.

An Artistic Approach to Art Documentation in Oslo

Because these works were created as fine art, I chose to photograph them in a way that mirrors how they might be viewed in a museum or gallery setting here in Oslo. Clean walls and simple flooring allowed each piece to stand on its own, without distraction.

For the work Ham Riders, which explores gendered clothing and sexuality, I wanted the viewer to feel like they were standing in front of it at the National Museum. I used soft side lighting to enhance the fabric’s texture, a precise spot to make the belt buckle gleam, and a subtle backlight to create a gentle halo—drawing attention to its structure without overpowering its meaning.

Looking for an art photographer in Oslo, Norway?

If you're an artist, gallery, or institution in Oslo or elsewhere in Norway looking to document your work with care, creativity, and museum-quality lighting, I'd love to collaborate.

Whether you need high-end art documentation, editorial portraits, or creative photography in Oslo, I bring both technical skill and a deep respect for each subject's story.