In spring 2026, Hellebjerg Idrætsefterskole, a Danish residential school with a focus on sport, unveiled a monumental painting by the acclaimed Lithuanian artist Vilmantas Marcinkevičius. Measuring 350 × 240 cm, the work was commissioned specifically for the school’s new assembly hall.
The project was developed and delivered in collaboration with Galleri NB, which has represented Vilmantas Marcinkevičius for more than 25 years. The gallery coordinated the dialogue between the school and the artist, overseeing the process from the initial discussions about placement, dimensions and subject matter through to the installation of the finished work.
A work created for its setting
The assembly hall hosts many of the school’s shared activities. It was therefore important that the painting should sit naturally within the architecture while also having a strong presence in the room.
As part of the process, Vilmantas Marcinkevičius visited Hellebjerg Idrætsefterskole. Here, he experienced the school’s atmosphere and gained an impression of the people who would live with the work every day. Through conversations with the school, the subject gradually took shape. The artist then continued developing sketches and the final painting in his Vilnius studio.
People and community
Vilmantas Marcinkevičius works in an expressive, richly coloured figurative style. Human relationships, belonging and group dynamics are recurring themes in his art. His works range from the intimate to the monumental, portraying people as both social and emotional beings.
These themes took on particular significance in the context of the school, where friendships, community and personal development are central to the students’ daily lives. The result was THE ONES I CARRY – a title that evokes the people, relationships and experiences we carry with us throughout our lives.
From initial idea to permanent installation
The commission encompassed the selection of the artist, discussions about the setting and subject matter, an artist visit, sketches, the painting process and the final installation in the assembly hall.
Today, THE ONES I CARRY is a permanent part of Hellebjerg Idrætsefterskole. Encountered daily by students, staff and visitors, the painting brings colour, identity and an artistic presence to the hall.
