Book Launch and Exhibition by artist Irene Christensen and poet Eileen P. Kennedy
EXHIBITION DATES:
2. - 13. SEPTEMBER 2026
VERNISSAGE • ART OPENING
Wednesday 2. September 2026 • 18-20h (6-8pm)
OPENING HOURS: TBA
LIVE READINGS BY POET EILEEN P. KENNEDY
• Thursday, 10. September at 19h (7pm), in person and on Zoom / Facebook Live
• Saturday, 12. September at 16h (4pm) in person and on Zoom / Facebook Live
DESCRIPTION
"Dread and Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Planet" brings together the poetry of American writer Eileen P. Kennedy with the paintings of Norwegian artist Irene Christensen. These artists met in the botanically spectacular country of Costa Rica where they devised the present book out of their common interest in natural beauty and opposition to the exploitation of the planet. The paintings depict the defiant feminine presence at the heart of the environmental justice movement. These observant poems, varying in form and content, are ekphrastic (written in response) to this captivating and powerful art. The book is many layered. International images from Norway, Costa Rica, the United States depict a planet at a pivotal moment, where wild places and refuges are deteriorating.
"Dread and Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Planet"
by Irene Christensen & Eileen P. Kennedy
Released 13. January, 2026 by SHANTI ARTS ©2026
70 pages; 28 full-color illustrations
ARTIST IRENE CHRISTENSEN divides her time between New York City and Oslo, Norway, producing her work in her studios. She has exhibited in Europe, Asia, South America, and the United States. Her art has been shown in museums, art centers, and galleries in the United States, Costa Rica, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Israel, and Argentina. She showed an installation of nine accordion books at Palazzo Mora during the Venice Biennale. She has received many honorariums and awards in Europe and the United States and is represented in many museums and private collections. John Zeaman, art critic and writer, says, “Irene Christensen’s art is about painting as a magical act.”
http://irenechristensen.art
POET EILEEN P. KENNEDY is the author of two collections of poetry: Banshees (Flutter Press, 2015), which was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and won Second Prize in Poetry from the Wordwrite Book Awards; and Touch My Head Softly (Finishing Line Press, 2021), which Literary Titanhas described as “emotionally-charged poetry that explores life with observant poems that will appeal to anyone who loves inspired poetry.” It was a finalist for the International Book Awards in General Poetry. She taught writing and literature on the faculty of the City University of New York. She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, with the ghost of Emily Dickinson.
http://eileenpkennedy.com
SCHAEFFERS GATE 5
Schaeffers Gate 5 is an independent art, music and performance exhibition space which has been dedicated to the international spirit of true art and creativity since 2011. Located in Oslo's residential neighbourhood of Sofienberg, Schaeffers Gate 5 is situated in the ground floor of a charming 1890's tenement building, easily found just around the corner from the cafés and bars of Oslo's trendy cultural Grünerløkka district. The space itself features two intimate rooms: The Theatre Room and The Gallery. Both rooms provide adequate wall-space to accommodate various 2-dimensional visual art. The newly renovated Theatre Room features increased wall space and a new sound stage, and can also be used for live music, art performance, film screenings, poetry readings, and other live intimate events.
CONTACT / VISIT
Schæffers gate 5 • 0558 Oslo • NORWAY
(+47) 45218078
See listed exhibition & event hours (or by appointment)
DIRECTIONS
Tram 11, 12 or 18 to Schous Plass
The gallery is on a side street adjacent to Toftes gate,
between Schous Plass and Sofienberg Park