Highlight House by Teddy Hansen

Mixed Media on canvas 
2024 

This painting is part of FATHERLAND, an exhibition by Teddy Hansen.

Maybe Danish people are happy because of their golden locks?

The painting shows a Danish sailor who has removed his hat and is shading his eyes from the lighthouse’s light, which is bleaching his hair. The lighthouse’s red, white and blue spiral design represents a large barber shop sign. Traditionally, Danish sailors feared a giant sea snake from Norse mythology called Jörmungandr, Thor’s sworn enemy. The red stripe of the lighthouse turns into this enemy. Jörmungandr who has risen from the sea in the top left, thinking the flashing lighthouse is Thor firing lightning bolts. Instead, its face hits the light, setting it on fire. At the bottom, the sailors are defeating the snake with one of their rowing oars. Surrounding the sailor are tiny angels, admiring his new angelic hair.

Not only do the sailors have lovely bleach-blonde hair, but they have also defeated their mortal enemy.