Harald Austad’s “POWER PORTRAITS”
Harald Austad’s POWER PORTRAITS Turns Portraiture Into a Vibrant Personal Legacy
In an era where portraiture continues to evolve far beyond tradition, artist Harald Austad offers a strikingly original take with POWER PORTRAITS, a one-of-a-kind exhibition experience that invites viewers to do more than observe—they become part of the artwork itself. Blending contemporary art, design, and personal storytelling, Austad’s latest presentation transforms the classic portrait into something boldly modern, emotionally resonant, and visually unforgettable.
At the heart of POWER PORTRAITS is Austad’s signature portrait series, where identity is distilled into its purest visual form: the silhouette. With his unmistakable Supergraphic style, the artist uses shape and color to create portraits that feel both iconic and intimate. These are not conventional likenesses focused on facial detail or realism. Instead, Austad captures essence through graphic composition, radiant color, and a refined sense of presence that turns simplicity into power.
What makes this exhibition especially compelling is its interactive dimension. During the show, Austad will be live in the gallery, offering “Silhouette Sessions” in a dedicated photo station where visitors can collaborate directly with the artist to create their own custom Power Portrait. This unique process allows each sitter to take part in the creation of an original artwork that reflects their individuality through Austad’s uplifting visual language. The result is more than a portrait—it is a lasting personal legacy, translated through bold form, expressive color, and contemporary artistry.
““I love vibrant colors and use them to uplift, empower, and to spread joy.””
Austad’s inspiration for the series began with a meaningful discovery: a black-and-white shadow portrait of his grandmother. That image became the spark for a deeper reimagining of portrait history itself. Drawing a line from royal portraiture to the pop-cultural iconography of Warhol, Austad reinterprets the genre through his own vibrant lens. His work honors the timeless human desire to be seen and remembered, while pushing portraiture into a new visual space where design and emotion exist in perfect harmony.
As Austad explains, his vision is rooted in both recognition and celebration: he wanted to base these portraits on “the simplest recognizable form, your silhouette.” From there, color becomes the emotional force of the work. Known for his love of vibrant tones, Austad uses color not merely as decoration, but as a tool to uplift, empower, and spread joy. In POWER PORTRAITS, a person’s favorite hues are transformed into a bold visual statement—one that celebrates identity in a way that feels fresh, modern, and deeply personal.
There is something especially timely about an exhibition like this. In a culture saturated with digital self-image, POWER PORTRAITS offers a more artful and enduring form of self-representation. It strips away noise and focuses on what remains essential: shape, energy, individuality, and presence. Austad’s work reminds us that a portrait does not need to be literal to be powerful. Sometimes, the strongest representation comes from reduction—from the confidence of graphic clarity and the emotional charge of color.
With POWER PORTRAITS, Harald Austad delivers more than an exhibition; he creates an immersive encounter between artist, subject, and viewer. It is a celebration of identity through art and design, and a vivid reminder that portraiture still has the power to surprise, evolve, and connect. Through each silhouette, Austad invites us to see ourselves not just as we appear, but as bold, expressive icons of our own story.