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Erik Heide was a Danish artist born in Øster Jølby on the island of Mors. He trained as a painter and printmaker at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where he studied under, among others, Kræsten Iversen and Holger J. Jensen. After completing his studies, Heide travelled extensively throughout Europe - from Finland in the north to Turkey, Spain, and Egypt in the south - broadening his artistic horizons.
He made his exhibition debut at the Artists' Easter Exhibition (Kunstnernes Påskeudstilling) in 1949 and went on to exhibit widely in Denmark and abroad. During his career, he received several grants and awards, including the Kai Nielsen Memorial Grant, in recognition of his artistic achievements.
Although Heide began his career as a painter, he shifted his focus entirely to sculpture in 1958. From then on, he worked exclusively as a sculptor. His sculptures and public commissions can be found throughout Denmark. Among his best-known works are altar commissions for Øster Jølby Church and Møllevang Church in Aarhus, demonstrating his ability to combine artistic expression with architectural and spiritual purpose.
Throughout his long career, Erik Heide created a body of work distinguished by both artistic sensitivity and exceptional craftsmanship, spanning painting and printmaking before ultimately finding its fullest expression in sculpture.
1984
Søhesten: 133 cm
Fountain basin: 330 × 270 cm
About the Artwork
Søhesten was unveiled in May 1984, five years later than originally planned. Erik Heide first considered creating a horse, but after several sketches and ideas, he settled on the sculpture we see today - the distinctive seahorse. With the sea as Nyborg Strand's close neighbour, he felt it was only fitting that a seahorse should have a place on this side of the hotel.
With a smile, Heide recalled how remarkably patient the hotel had been while waiting for the work to be completed. The sculpture was first modelled in polystyrene and only much later cast in bronze. The beautiful patina seen today has developed naturally over the years through the effects of lime, rust, and exposure to the wind and weather.
The artwork can be found by the car park.
