CV
PETER HOLST HENCKEL
Born 1966. Lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark
EDUCATION
1985–1992
The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Schools of Visual Art, Copenhagen
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025
Walk Talk, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2020
Portrait of an Exhibition, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2019
Paradise Revisited, Gl. Holtegaard
RoofTop, Billboard project at Dybbølsbro Train Station, Copenhagen
2018
Haandværker, Galerie MøllerWitt, Aarhus
2016
Priming and Framing, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2013
Couplings and Doublings, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2012
Peter Holst Henckel / Specta, VOLTA NY art fair, New York City, USA
Peter Holst Henckel, ApArt, Copenhagen
2011
Peter Holst Henckel / Specta, VOLTA7 art fair, Basel, Switzerland
2010
It’s About Time, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
It’s About Time, Vanløse Culture House, Copenhagen
2009
Why Do Leaves Change Colour in the Fall?, Kunsthallen Brandts, Odense
Why Do Leaves Change Colour in the Fall?, Kunsthal Brænderigården, Viborg
Flora Danica III, Galerie MøllerWitt, Aarhus
2008
Human Nature, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2006
OBS! – Information for Citizens About Society, Specta, Copenhagen
2005
Explaining the World to a Child, Galerie MøllerWitt, Aarhus
2004
The Back of the World, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2003
World of Butterflies, DCI, Edinburgh, UK
The Greenhouse Effect, Horsens Art Museum, Horsens
2002
World of Butterflies, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2000
Under (re)construction, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
1999
Cabinfever, Galerie MøllerWitt, Aarhus
1997
Phantoms of Liberty, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
1995
Inside Out, Franz Pedersen Kunsthandel, Horsens
Between the Lines, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
Read My Lips, Franz Pedersen Kunsthandel, Horsens
1993
Xenopa, Politikens Forhal, Copenhagen
Untitled (Worldwide), Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
1992
Dr. Merkwürdigliebe, afd.1, afd.2, afd.3, Baghuset Galleri, Copenhagen
1987
Hele Halve, Baghuset Galleri, Copenhagen
GROUP EXHIBITIONS (selected)
2026
Soft/Shell, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2025
Creative Responses, Akureyri Art Museum, Iceland
Chart Art Fair, Kunsthal Charlottenborg, with Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
Major Works, Den Frie Center for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
Creative Responses, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
Elysian Fields Revisited, Olseröd Kunsthal, Sweden
New and Unseen, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2024
Naboplanter, Den Frie Center for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
2023
Frie Hænder, Den Frie Center for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
2022
Cat, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
Den Frie 22, Den Frie Center for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
I Only Have Eyes for You, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2021
We Are Animals, Kunsthal Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Den Frie 21, Den Frie Center for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
2020
Guess a Hand!, contribution to the magazine Pist Protta no. 88, Copenhagen
Time of Change / Time for Change, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
Himmelvendt (Skyward), Teksas, Græsted
Den Frie Spring Exhibition, Den Frie Center for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
Animals in Art, ARKEN Museum of Modern Art, Ishøj
Flora – Between Plants and Humans, Randers Art Museum
Omslag (Covers), exhibition and book publication, Kh7 artspace, Aarhus
2019
Flag – Object, Icon, Symbol, Randers Art Museum
Drawing Attention, Den Frie Center for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
Hoping Longing Dreaming, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2018
Show Up, RØM, Copenhagen
Free Art, Free Children, Den Frie Center for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
Hjemstavn (Hometown), SAK Kunstbygning, Svendborg
Chart Art Fair, Kunsthall Charlottenborg, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2016
Museum Pist Protta, Kunsthall Charlottenborg, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
Den Frie Spring Exhibition, Den Frie Exhibition Hall, Copenhagen
Chart ArtFair, Kunsthall Charlottenborg, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2015
Humans, Munkeruphus, Dronningmølle
Den Frie Spring Exhibition, Den Frie Center for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
Current, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2014
In Search of Lost Time, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
Chart Art Fair, Kunsthall Charlottenborg, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
100XSpring, Den Frie Center for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
Serial Works, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2013
Directors Choice 7-9-13, Aros Art Museum, Aarhus
Artists of the 90s, Horsens Art Museum
The Spring Exhibition, Den Frie Center for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
Enter Before You Leave, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
P.P.P., Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2012
Fox with Issues, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
2011
Vokseværk, Esbjerg Art Museum, Esbjerg
Vokseværk, KUNSTEN (Museum of Modern Art), Aalborg
Objectives, Skulpturi, Copenhagen
2010
Art Copenhagen, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
The Hunt for Something Else, Johannes Larsen Museum, Kerteminde
2009
A Completely Normal Exhibition, Overgaden – Institute of Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
Winter 09, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
It’s Raining Men, Galleri Christina Wilson, Copenhagen
The Party, Beaver Project, Copenhagen
KURS: Torvet, Museum of Contemporary Art, Roskilde
Action Auction, Kødbyen, Copenhagen
Cph ArtFair, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
The Last Supper, Bredgade Kunsthandel, Copenhagen
Angli – Heart, Herning Museum of Art, Herning
The Spring Exhibition, Den Frie Center for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
ARKEN’s Collection, ARKEN Museum for Modern Art, Ishøj
Free Postage, Den Frie Center for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
Verbal Pupils, Aarhus Art Building, Aarhus
All This and Much, Much More, Horsens Art Museum, Horsens
AIDS Calendar 2009
2008
The New ARKEN Collection, ARKEN Museum for Modern Art, Ishøj
The Real Thing, Malmö Art Museum, Malmö
They Shoot Horses Don´t They!?, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
Cph ArtFair, (Galleri Specta), Copenhagen
The Map Is Not the Territory, Esbjerg Art Museum, Esbjerg
Samlingspunkt, Sorø Kunstmuseum
Nomad Academy Goes Public, Sharjah Art Museum, United Arab Emirates
2007
Spor (Tracks), Esbjerg Art Museum, Esbjerg
Show Off, Galerie Møller Witt, Aarhus
Photography, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
The Art of Money, Køge Sketch Collection
Seen from the Butterfly Wing, Viborg Kunsthal
2006
Esplanaden, Den Frie Exhibition Hall, Copenhagen
Short Cuts, The National Museum of Photography, Copenhagen
The World Without Evil?, Edition for asterisk Publishing House, Aarhus
Cph ArtFair, (with Galleri Specta), Copenhagen
Animal World, Borås Art Museum, Sweden
Malm2, Malmö Konsthal, Sweden
Horsens New Art Museum, Horsens Art Museum, Horsens
Skønhedspletter (Beauty Marks II), Brandts Kunstmuseum, Odense
From Dust to Gold, (exhibition architect), Montana Hall, The Royal Library, Copenhagen
2005
Mertz+ (curator), Galleri Kirke Sonnerup, Kirke Sonnerup
Andersen Associated, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
Cph ArtFair (with Galleri Specta), Copenhagen
Labyrinth, Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Copenhagen
Sign System, project for the magazine Hvedekorn
Self Discipline, Overgaden – Institute of Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
2004
With Love, Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Copenhagen
Group Show, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
Group Show, Galerie MøllerWitt, Aarhus
2003
From Objective to Object, Den Frie Exhibition Hall, Copenhagen
Collections, Galleri Image, Aarhus
Easter Exhibition, Skive Art Museum, Skive
As Backlight and Other Surmountable Obstacles, Bornholm Art Hall, Nexø
2002
Neble Show, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
Neble Show, Randers Art Museum, Randers
Vollsmose+, new signage system in Vollsmose, with Transform Architects
World of Butterflies 1992–2002, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
TransVisit, Masnedø Fort, Vordingborg
Torino ArtFair (Galleri Specta), Italy
Science + Fiction, Sprengel Museum, Hannover, Germany
2001
T-H-I-N-K, i-n-k, Copenhagen
Group Show, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen
GunNation, Kulturhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
Group Show, Malmö Konstmuseum, Malmö, Sweden
Torino ArtFair (Specta), Italy
2000
Shoot, (video festival) Malmö Kunsthal, Malmö
Models of Resistance, (Globe), Overgaden, Copenhagen
Amateurs, (Globe) Gothenburg Art Museum, Gothenburg
The Collection, ARKEN – Museum of Modern Art, Ishøj
Bokkelmann Model, Charlottenborg Autumn Exhibition, Copenhagen
1999
Stedet II, Køge Sketch Collection, Køge
Nuit Blanche, Nordic Video Tour
Project for the magazine Plum Velvet
Frankfurt ArtFair (Galleri Specta), Germany
Oh No, Not Me, I Never Lost Control, Specta, Copenhagen
Alle Tiders Børn, Aros, Aarhus
Berlin ArtFair (Specta), Germany
Farve Fænomener (Color Phenomena), Charlottenborg, Copenhagen
1998
AIDS Calendar 1998
Stalke 10 Years, Copenhagen
Stedet II, invited sketch project by the Danish Arts Foundation
Visions du Nord (Video Section), Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, Paris, France
Issue 45 of the Magazine for Art and Related Materials
1997
Stockholm ArtFair (Galleri Specta), Sweden.
Copenhagen Art Fair (Galleri Specta), Copenhagen.
Northern Encounters, Lonsdale Gallery, Toronto, Canada.
The Royal Academy’s Gold Medal Competition, Copenhagen.
Group Show, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen.
1996
ArtGenda, European Biennial, Nikolaj Contemporary Art Center, Copenhagen.
Status, Stalke Gallery, Copenhagen.
Mission: Impossible, Bricks&Kicks, Vienna, Austria.
Project for the Danish magazine Hvedekorn, Borgens Forlag.
Group Show, Bank, London, England.
Interzones, Kunstforeningen Gl. Strand, Copenhagen.
The Collection, Aarhus Art Museum, Aarhus.
Special Guests, Herning Art Museum, Herning.
Videos, with Bricks&Kicks, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Escape Attempts, Globe, Compartments, Copenhagen.
Copenhagen Art Fair (Galleri Specta), Copenhagen.
Project for the French magazine Permanent Food.
The Collection, Franz Pedersen Art Trade, Kolding.
Are You Talking to Me!?, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen.
Interzones, Uppsala Art Museum, Sweden.
125 Years of Danish Sculpture, Horsens Art Museum, Horsens.
1995
Project for the Spanish-American art magazine Atlantica.
Flowerpower, Aabenraa.
Welfare, Galerie du Temple, Paris, France.
Globus, part of the Cultural Capital ’96 in connection with the Social Summit in Copenhagen.
25 Years of Art in Politiken, Round Tower (Rundetårn), Copenhagen.
Status, Stalke Gallery, Copenhagen.
Copenhagen Art Fair (Galleri Specta and Franz Pedersen Art Trade), Copenhagen.
Drawings, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen.
Art in the Workplace, Nikolaj Exhibition Hall, Copenhagen.
Art Against AIDS, Galleri Mikael Andersen/Galleri Nicolai Wallner, Copenhagen.
1994
The Collection, Franz Pedersen Art Trade, Horsens.
The Decembrists (guest), Den Frie, Copenhagen.
Glass Box, Malmö Museum, KM2, Malmö, Sweden.
Transhistory, Kunstforeningen Gl. Strand, Copenhagen.
A Glimpse at the 90s, Stalke Out of Space, Holbæk.
The Collection, Galeria Tomas March, Valencia, Spain.
Henckel – Neuchs – Røssell, Galleri Specta, Copenhagen.
Henckel – Koester – Neuchs – Røssell, Galleri Rostrum, Malmö, Sweden.
Art-Art-Art, Kunstforeningen Gl. Strand, Copenhagen.
Miniatures, The Agency, London, England.
10 Years, Horsens Art Museum, Horsens.
1993
News Room Copenhagen, Globe, Copenhagen.
Drawings, Galleri Specta, Aarhus.
Art of the 90s, Stalke Out of Space, Copenhagen.
Germinations 7, Kunstforeningen Gl. Strand, Copenhagen.
Black Box, Globe, Copenhagen.
Graphic Art, Kastrupgård Collection, Copenhagen.
Opening Exhibition, Galleri Nicolai Wallner, Copenhagen.
Exclusion, Consul, Aarhus.
1992
Baghuset, Aarhus Art Museum, Aarhus.
Group Show, Galleri Specta, Aarhus.
Germinations 7, Centre National d’Art Contemporain, Grenoble, France.
Project No. 7, Stalke Out of Space, Copenhagen.
FLAG, Hollerup’s Art Trade, Copenhagen.
1991
Gallery Artists, Baghuset Gallery, Copenhagen.
Stalke Out of Space, Stockholm ArtFair, Sweden.
Street Signs, Billboard Project, Copenhagen.
Something Insincere, Baghuset Gallery, Copenhagen.
Happy Hour, Galleri Specta, Aarhus.
1990
Benefit Show, Baghuset Gallery, Copenhagen.
Luxury Culture, Sophienholm, Lyngby.
Valeur-Usage-Identité, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Edition Benveniste, Horsens Art Museum Lunden, Horsens.
Retrospective, Stalke Gallery, Copenhagen.
The Collection, Fredericia Art and Literature Association, Fredericia.
1989
Stalke Gallery, Copenhagen.
Baghuset Gallery, Copenhagen.
1988
Baghuset Gallery, Copenhagen.
Pictura, Lund, Sweden.
PUBLIC ART PROJECTS
2019
Integrated artwork for Rødkilde School, City of Copenhagen.
Integrated artwork for FYNs HF, Odense.
Integrated artwork for Langebro Residences, Kanalbyen Fredericia.
Decoration of retaining walls in the bicycle tunnel under Næsbyvej, Odense Municipality.
2018
Integrated artwork for Ellekilde Daycare Center, Ballerup Municipality.
2017
Integrated artwork for New Daycare Center, Skovlunde, Ballerup Municipality.
Integrated artwork for Sikringen, Kriminalforsorgen, Nykøbing Sjælland.
2016
Integrated artwork for Randers Hospital, New Emergency Department Phase 2.
Integrated artwork for Psychiatric Center Ballerup in dialogue with Alex Poulsen Architects.
2015
Integrated artwork for Sydhavn School, a new public school in Copenhagen.
International competition won in collaboration with JJW Architects.
2014
Integrated artwork for Randers Hospital, New Emergency Department Phase 1.
Integrated artwork for Tornbjerg Gymnasium, commissioned by the Danish Arts Foundation.
2013
Integrated artwork for Christiansfeld School in dialogue with Kjær & Richter Architects.
2012
Integrated artwork for Psychiatric Center Ballerup in dialogue with Ag5 Architects.
2010
Integrated artwork for Rambøll’s new headquarters in Ørestad, Copenhagen. Competition won in Spring 2009.
2008
Integrated artwork for Lisbjerg School, a new public school/cultural center near Aarhus.
2007
Integrated artwork for Roskilde Police Station in dialogue with PLH Architects and Opland Landscape Architects.
2006
Integrated artwork for Svendborg Gymnasium’s “Academic Building.”
2005
Artistic lighting plan for Kartoffelrækkerne in Trekroner, a housing project in collaboration with Entasis Architects and Opland Landscape Architects.
Integrated artwork and lighting plan for the square in front of Tåstrup Courthouse, in collaboration with Brix+Thornval Architects.
2002
Integrated artwork for the Danish Defence Academy in collaboration with Entasis Architects.
GRANTS & AWARDS (selected)
2024
Sculptor Viggo Jarl’s Grant II
2016
Sven Hols Grant
2015
Ole Haslund’s Artist Grant
2006
Eckersberg Medal
2005
Leo Estvad’s Grant
2004
Henry Heerup’s Grant
Niels Larsen Stevns Grant
2002
Danish Arts Foundation Work Grant
1998
Danish Arts Foundation Three-Year Work Grant
1996
Artist Fund of 1973
Danish Arts Foundation Work Grant
1995
Knud Højgaard’s Travel Grant
1994
C.L. David’s Travel Grant
1992
Marie Månsson’s Grant
1990
Simon Spies Foundation Artist Grant
RECOGNITIONS
2015
Building of the Year 2015, together with JJW Architects for Skolen i Sydhavnen (South Harbour School), Copenhagen.
School Building of the Year, together with JJW Architects for Skolen i Sydhavnen, Copenhagen.
2007
Color Prize 2007, together with Friis & Moltke Architects for Lundskolen, Horsens.
2005
Recognition by the Danish Book Craft Association for the book World of Butterflies.
2003
Danish Arts Foundation Recognition for the exhibition The (greenhouse effect), Horsens Art Museum.
1997
Danish Arts Foundation Recognition for the exhibition Phantoms of Liberty, Galleri Specta.
1996
Exhibition of the Year 1996, for the Globe exhibition project Compartments, AICA (Association of Art Critics).
1992
Academy Council Exhibition Prize for the exhibition Baghuset at Aarhus Art Museum.
REPRESENTED IN / SOLD TO (selected)
SMK – National Gallery of Denmark
The Royal Collection of Graphic Arts (SMK)
ARKEN – Museum of Modern Art
ARoS – Aarhus Art Museum
Horsens Art Museum
Randers Art Museum
HEART – Herning Museum of Contemporary Art
Sorø Art Museum
Danish Parliament (Folketinget)
Art in the Workplace
Kastrupgård Collection
The National Museum of Photography
New Carlsberg Foundation
Danish Arts Foundation
Vejle Art Museum
Malmö Art Museum, Sweden
Novo Nordisk
Nykredit
TV2
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Copenhagen
OTHER ROLES & MEMBERSHIPS
President, The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, The Academy Council
Member of the Academy Council (2017–2025). Vice Chair (2021–2022). Chair of the Council (2024-2026)
Member of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (2014–2026)
Art Consultant for the Danish Building Agency (2012–2019)
Art Consultant for UBST – Danish University and Property Agency (2010–2012)
Board Member, KØS – Museum of Art in Public Spaces (2014–2017)
Member, City of Copenhagens Council for Visual Art, 2014–2017
Board Member, UMA – Umeå School of Architecture, 2009–2011
Board Member, Den Frie Exhibition, 2014–2018
Board Member, Kunsthal Charlottenborg, 2006–2009
Board Member, Charlottenborg Foundation (Spring and Autumn Exhibitions), 2005–2008
– Chair, 2006–2009
Board Member, Overgaden – Institute of Contemporary Art, 2001–2004
– Chair, 2003–2004
Board Member, BKF Cultural Resources Committee, 1999–2003
Member, Academy Council Committee for the Establishment of the Centre for Danish Visual Art, 1995
Member, Kunstnersamfundet (Visual Artists Section of the Artists’ Association)
Member, BKF (Association of Danish Visual Artists)
Member, Den Frie Udstilling (The Free artists’ association)
Founder, Globe (transdisciplinary art collective), 1992–present
Founder and Editor, Åndsindustri (art journal), 1988–1992
Co-founder, Galleri Baghuset (with Peter Rössel), 1987–1992