Fernanda Nissen

About

The local artist Tone Ørvik who teaches at the Art School in Kragerø made this bronze bust of Fernanda Nissen. The bust can be admired at the Jens Lauersøns place. You´ll find the atelier of Tone Ørvik at the Artist Quarter near by the church. 

The feminist pioneer Fernanda Nissen (1862-1920) was born in Sannidal, but grew up in Kragerø. 
She has been one of the main activists we have had in Norway. She came from the upper class, was shipowner daughter from Kragerø and became a socialist and  was working for children, women, factory workers and for all workers. She joined the Labour Party and worked for the establishment of parks and libraries, she was theatrical and literary reviewer, was Norway's first female film sensor and she has constantly advocated that the Labour class should be able to take part in what she saw as the highest in the world, namely, art.
She was also one of the foremost advocates for Gustav Vigeland, before Vigeland Park in Oslo ( the worlds largest sculpture park) were built. He was supposed to get commission such as the large Abel Statue at the palace garden. She worked for women's suffrage, and was very keen to protect the woman of the working class.