Background
Ørnulf Bjarne Bast was born in Oslo.
Ørnulf Bjarne Bast was born in Oslo.
Bast studied at the Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts (Statens kunstakademi) from 1927-1930. He completed a wide range of public memorials and decorations in a quiet style, characterized by a French-dominated class flight of sculptural tradition.
He made several study trips, first to France from 1928 to 1929 and later to Britain, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain and North Africa, including Egypt, 1930 and 1932, and a new journey to Paris 1937. Of note are Borregaard-monumentet in Sarpsborg (1937), Saint Hallvards brønn in Bragernes square in Drammen (1940–1952), Tvillingsøstrene (1947–1949) in Copenhagen, Evig liv (1948–1949) at Sehesteds plass in Oslo and Ung kvinne (1946-1947) at Saint Hanshaugen Park in Oslo, and Kongens Nei (1949-1950) in Elverum. Among his works were the identical bronze statues titles The Norwegian Lady dedicated in 1962, which were placed in Moss, Norway and Virginia Beach, Virginia facing each other across the ocean.
The statues were modeled after the figurehead of the Norwegian bark Dictator, home ported in Moss, which foundered and sank in the Graveyard of the Atlantic off the coast of Virginia Beach on 27–28 March 1891.
Despite substantial lifesaving efforts from shore, seven persons died, including the captain"s pregnant wife and four-year-old son. Annual events are held at the Bast statues.
From 1947 until his death in 1974, Bast had a permanent residence in the summer at Fuglevik ved Rakke in Brunlanes, south of Larvik, where he also had his studio. Ørnulf Bast was awarded the King"s Medal of Merit (Kongens fortjenstmedalje) in gold.