The story of Coltrane the blackbird
Outside the bedroom in Liomveien where we live, there is an old lamppost with a metal plate on top. Last summer, this post was the favorite stage of a blackbird that kept us awake with intense singing from two in the morning until around six. This blackbird improvised and phrased his song into the most incredible trills. Only the very best blackbirds reach his level. The song strongly recalled the modern, improvised playing of the legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane. Our blackbird quickly got the name Coltrane. He was an unusually eager blackbird, and before long he felt quite at home. After several sleepless nights through June, the idea came to me. I could paint blackbirds in all kinds of strange situations.
EXHIBITION OPENING WITH JAZZ, BACALAO AND BARKjell Aukrust's nephew Lars Espen Aukrust has been inspired by the blackbird that eventually got the name Coltrane, and has painted blackbirds in all kinds of strange situations. The exhibition opens on Saturday 9 May and will remain on display until mid-June.
Programme:
15:00 Exhibition opening Lars Espen Kjell Aukrust
15:30 Launch of the Anniversary PODCAST
16:00 Bacalao and dessert at Solan and Ludvig's café NOK 295,-
At both the exhibition opening and the dinner afterwards, we will have an artistic performance by Olav Korssjøen, Sindre Hagen, Ola Lien and Julie Skogsrud Jordet, who will play Coltraine (the source of inspiration) for the exhibition, and they will also offer more jazz once everyone is seated at the table afterwards.
Welcome!
How about a blackbird on a desert island, under a palm tree, eating a banana? That became my artistic idea;
«To highlight human expressions and attitudes through the body language of blackbirds”
Artistically, the aim is for the birds to be as expressive as possible. The pictures must be enjoyable to look at. They are welcome to tell stories, and it is wonderful if they bring a smile to the viewer's face. It gives me great pleasure to present these blackbirds for the first time at Huset Aukrust on 9 May 2026
Lars Espen Aukrust
EXHIBITION FOR SALE - WATERCOLORS
Lars Espen Aukrust is Kjell Aukrust's nephew and a board member of the Aukrust Foundation. He holds a Cand Real degree in biochemistry from the University of Oslo (UiO) and a Dr philos degree from the Faculty of Medicine, UiO (allergy research, Rikshospitalet in cooperation with Nycomed). Self-taught jazz pianist and keen painter.
