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Søren Elgaard is a Danish painter who has worked professionally as an artist since 1973. Although self-taught, he has built a strong technical foundation based on classical methods of painting, drawing, and printmaking. His work reflects a deep awareness of art history, particularly the ongoing dialogue between abstraction and realism - a relationship that has evolved since the 1970s, when he began his artistic career.
Alongside his work as an artist, Elgaard has served as a lecturer at Aarhus University, where he has shared his knowledge of artistic processes and visual language. The combination of practical experience and academic reflection has given his work both technical depth and intellectual strength.
Over the years, Elgaard has completed a number of large-scale public art commissions integrated into architectural settings. These include projects at Aalborg University, the former North Jutland County Hall in Aalborg, the Hedegaard grain silo (covering around 1,200 m²), outdoor works at Tech College, and the gatehouse at the former Eternit Factory. He has also created public artworks in Hjørring, Vrå, and the former Sejlflod Municipality. Most recently, nine large outdoor paintings have been installed at Stigsborg in Aalborg.
For his architectural commissions, Elgaard works with specially produced cement panels and Keim silicate paints, often combined with artists' acrylics. These materials provide excellent durability and weather resistance, typically requiring no maintenance for at least ten years. His first public commission, completed in Hjørring in 1991, remains in excellent condition and stands as a testament to both the quality of the materials and his craftsmanship.
Elgaard's work is represented in several major Danish art collections, including the National Gallery of Denmark (SMK), ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, Vendsyssel Art Museum, and Fuglsang Art Museum. His career reflects an artist with extensive experience in both painting and site-specific work, and a lasting ability to create meaningful dialogue between art, architecture, and the spaces they inhabit.
Oil on Canvas
2009
100 × 80 cm
About the Artwork
The painting is inspired by Tate Modern in London, one of the world's leading museums of modern and contemporary art.
Søren Elgaard says about the work: "I can tell you that the man seen from behind is the photographer Per Bak Jensen. A group of us from Den Frie Exhibition visited Tate Modern in London together."
Søren Elgaard continues to work as an active artist and, in 2026, is presenting a major exhibition at Stigsborg in Aalborg.
The artwork can be found at the entrance to the Glass Hall (Glassalen).
