A sunflower project in an allotment garden in Oslo
Through their 100 year history in Norway, allotment gardens have been threatened. Several gardens have been destroyed to make room for more "useful" purposes. Frequently garden holders have to renegotiate their contracts with the municipal authorities who own the land.

Tough negotiations were conducted autumn 1999, and only after considerable effort from the garden holders and other people dedicated to culture and the environment, the authorities gave in and admitted the allotment holders long term contracts in the Oslo area.

Spring 1999, I started systematically to collect all species of sunflower seed that could be obtained. 12 kinds of different height, size, colours and number of flowers were provided. The seeds were planted early, filling up all imaginable space available. After some germination, the plants now of suitable size and the weather being hot, they were transported to the Solvang allotment garden. Contained in their flower pots they were allowed to grow for a while before being planted in the garden. I made a large flower bed with many species. The rest of the sunflowers were planted in random spots around the garden.

I´ve photographed the flowers at different stages in their growth, from budding to withering, at various weather conditions. To have the shots I wanted the plants were arranged, tied up, their heads were cut off and even photographed from the top of a rickety ladder. Having taken pictures all through the year, the last pictures were recorded spring 2000 when the plants were about to return to earth. A considerable number of pictures were now available for sketching.

Some photographs have been modified by computer, giving me the opportunity to enlarge, reduce, manipulate the background, compose different elements, add elements and select segments. Although intended as a starting point for sketching the photos are still considered a part of the project.

During the project I have also included sunflowers in my ceramic work.

The project was presented at the annual cultural fair at Solvang, dep 1 in Oslo summer 2000. The same year in December an exhibition was held at the arts centre in Ål, Hallingdal.