Marvin Halleraker awarded Telenor Culture Prize 2021

The accurate, creative, and influential editorial cartoonist is honoured with the distinguished culture award for his inventive and satirical works spanning over three decades.

“It’s a great pleasure and an honour to receive the Telenor Culture prize, especially considering the list of previous winners. I highly appreciate that the jury recognises the importance of the commentary drawing in a time when satire is under pressure,” says award winner Marvin Halleraker.

The Norwegian editorials cartoonist has submitted commentary drawings, portraits, and other creative works for various Norwegian newspapers since 1990. He has illustrated many books, authored several picture books, and worked with painting, photography, and music.

The annual Telenor Culture Prize – Boundless communication has since 1995 honoured Scandinavian artists or institutions who have excelled in music, film, literature, visual arts, or performing arts. It has been awarded to both established artists and newer talents, and the prize consists of NOK 500,000.

For the very first time, the Telenor Culture Prize is awarded to an editorial cartoonist and satirist.

“Marvin Halleraker has, with a burning passion, worked steadily with numerous societal issues and problems for more than 30 years. As a constant explorer of the art and a team player in the newsroom who always delivers on his promises, Halleraker’s behaviours reflect many of Telenor’s values. We applaud the jury’s decision of selecting Marvin Halleraker as the receiver of this year’s cultural prize,” says Sigve Brekke, President and CEO of Telenor Group.

“Marvin Halleraker is awarded the prize for his unparalleled ability to artistically interpret and present complex issues that concern us all. He possesses a unique ability to make the incomprehensible immediately comprehensible through visual expressions with high artistic quality. His drawings are at an international top-level, as is his production volume, distributing artistic comments on ongoing issues under heavy time pressure,” says Martin Eia-Revheim, leader of the jury.

The jury states in its justification that Halleraker has, over the years, impressed his audience through his extraordinary ideas, his rare observational ability, and brilliant technique.

“Many of us have been touched by his works throughout the years. Recent examples include comments on the U.S. presidential elections and the Covid-19 pandemic. Where our words become impoverished, his drawings, in contrast, can enrich the description. He is a world-class artist who stands out far beyond Norway’s borders,” says Eia-Revheim.

Martin Eia-Revheim, project manager at Sparebankstiftelsen DNB and leader of the jury; Lars Saabye Christensen, author; Ingrid Lorentzen, Artistic Director of the National Ballet; Henrik Mestad, actor; Alexandra Archetti Stølen, festival manager at Oslo World; and Randi Enebakk Due, VP and Head of Group Event & Expo at Telenor Group.

Telenor’s Culture Prize – “Boundless Communication” is a key element of the Telenor Culture Programme. The programme aims to bring together artists from different genres and cultures and to highlight exciting cultural expression that creates diversity, engagement, and unique meeting places.