13 Facts About Dyre Vaa

Dyre Vaa was born in Kviteseid, Telemark, and later lived and worked in Rauland.

Dyre Vaa was the son of Tor Aanundsson Vaa and Anne Marie Roholt.

Dyre Vaa's father was one of the largest forest owners in Telemark.

Dyre Vaa graduated artium at Kristiania Cathedral School in 1920.

Dyre Vaa studied at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry and at Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts from 1922 to 1923, under Wilhelm Rasmussen, and later traveled to Spain, Greece and Italy for studies.

Dyre Vaa served as chairman of the Norwegian Sculptor Association from 1960 to 1962.

Dyre Vaa continued to work until health problems from the mid-1970s.

Dyre Vaa contributed to the decoration of Oslo City Hall, with the swan fountain in the courtyard.

Dyre Vaa has made portrayal sculptures of several writers, Henrik Ibsen, Aasmund Olavsson Vinje, Ivar Aasen, and Olav Aukrust, the fiddle player Myllarguten, sculptural work at the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, several World War II memorials, and is represented at the National Gallery of Norway.

Dyre Vaa gave a number of his works to Vinje municipality which formed the basis for the Dyre Vaa Sculptural Art Collection.

Dyre Vaa was awarded the Schaffers legat, Aalls legat, Conrad Mohrs legat and Houens legat.

Dyre Vaa won the King's Medal of Merit in gold in 1951 and Nidaros Cathedral Gold Medal in 1969.

Dyre Vaa was made a Knight 1st Class in the Order of St Olav in 1969.