”I am as soft as butter and as brave as a hare.” This is how Olivia Holm-Møller (1875-1970) described herself in a letter to a friend in 1911. The exhibition at Gammel Strand, which takes its title from this quote, highlights the artist’s courage to trust in herself and to stand by her art.

A trailblazer in Danish art history, Olivia Holm-Møller created energetic, searching paintings that capture both her clear vision and her curious nature. Suns, stars, floating figures, and mythical creatures inhabit paintings which were also informed by extensive travels around the world.

During a life span of nearly 100 years, Olivia Holm-Møller experienced major political, technological and artistic transformations. At a time when we are increasingly faced with existential issues and anxiety-inducing questions of the unknown – Holm-Møller’s work feels more relevant than ever. She reminds us that courage does not necessarily mean the absence of fear, but rather daring to follow your curiosity, even when you do not know where it might lead.