Playful Norwegian pin-up art by illustrator Henning Ludvigsen
It is believed that pin-up is a truly American art movement. Yes, this style originated in the USA, and most of the most famous pin-up artists are Americans. But this does not mean that other countries do not understand anything about illustrations with sexy beauties. Do not believe that pin-up has long been "dead" and no one does it anymore. Norwegian Henning Ludvigsen is a world-renowned creator of pin-up illustrations and, moreover, our contemporary.
No one is born a pin-up artist. Henning Ludvigsen didn't plan to become a modern-day pillar of this forgotten movement either. He was born in 1975 in Holmestrand, Norway. As a child, Henning witnessed many cult events. He saw the peak of superhero comics, the first video games, and the birth of digital advertising.
The artist has been involved in advertising and creating board games since 2005 and is quite well known in his field. Ludvigsen became interested in pin-up by chance, when he, as a freelance artist, was commissioned to do a large project in this style. After completing it, Henning realized that he needed to continue developing in this direction. Suddenly it turned out that there were plenty of pin-up lovers around and orders, too.
Today, Ludvigsen is the only known pin-up artist in Norway and is said to be the best among the best in Europe. He still creates board games, collaborates with video game studios and advertising agencies. And when he gets a commission with vintage girls, the artist is especially happy.
Although pin-up is often perceived as a thing of the past, Henning Ludvigsen’s work proves that the style is alive and well and continues to evolve. Why do you think pin-up remains popular even today? Is it simply nostalgia for the past or does it have a special artistic and cultural significance? Share your thoughts in the comments!