OSLO – A new and timely exhibition at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway, is challenging the public to reconsider their understanding of conflict and harmony. Titled “War is Peace?”, the exhibition opens on September 12 and will run until April 7, 2026. It presents a collection of artworks spanning three centuries, leaving visitors to ponder a powerful question: has humanity truly evolved?
Kjersti Fløgstad, the Executive Director of the Nobel Peace Center, explained that the exhibition aims to provoke reflection on how war and peace are portrayed in public discourse. She noted that the show also raises a critical question about whether genuine peace can ever be the result of war.
Stated in a press release from the Nobel Peace Center, the exhibition’s title is inspired by George Orwell’s famous novel, “1984,” where “War is Peace” is a totalitarian slogan used to manipulate a population. Fløgstad drew a parallel to the present day, stating, “Even today, we encounter language that distorts reality. Fake news and propaganda spread rapidly, often amplified by authoritarian leaders and social media.” The exhibition, she says, examines how such rhetoric influences and can threaten democracy.
The show features works by a diverse group of artists, from historical masters to contemporary figures. It includes Francisco Goya’s harrowing series “The Disasters of War,” as well as activist pieces by Yoko Ono. For the first time in Norway, the exhibition will feature the bold, graphic statements of renowned American artist Barbara Kruger. The show also includes a newly commissioned piece by Norwegian artist Marius Engh and documentary images from conflicts across the globe by Magnum photographers Nanna Heitmann and Antoine d’Agata.
The exhibition is curated by Asle Olsen of the Nobel Peace Center and will feature works by artists including Carolina Caycedo, Ernst Friedrich, and Yoko Ono.
