Murals on Helsingørsgade in Hillerød

Artist Lena Heegaard and her collaborator Mark Stolk have completed their impressive mural project at Helsingørsgade 7, which has received widespread recognition. The project came as a natural continuation of their earlier mural at Helsingørsgade 8. What makes this artwork particularly remarkable is that it presents different motifs depending on whether it is viewed from the pedestrian street or from Søstien.

The initiative for this striking work of art was taken by the association “Art and Culture in Public Spaces” and was supported through sponsorships from the Hillerød Industrial and Craftsmen’s Association as well as the property owners of Helsingørsgade 7 and 8.

The art project originated from Hillerød ByForum’s ambition to develop Helsingørsgade into a Latin Quarter. Together with the shops along the pedestrian street, creative ideas were developed, including artistically designed benches and, of course, the murals at numbers 7 and 8.

Lena Heegaard played a central role by creating a sketch proposal that fit perfectly into the atmosphere of the Latin Quarter. “Art and Culture in Public Spaces” took on the task of bringing the project to life and even expanded it to include the mural at Helsingørsgade 7.

The first mural at number 8 was created to reflect the Latin Quarter atmosphere that Hillerød ByForum aims to establish. Lena Heegaard and Mark Stolk designed a trompe l’oeil-style window façade that deceives the eye and creates the illusion that reality and art merge together. Southern European elements such as terracotta pots and citrus trees were incorporated, while also integrating characteristics of the local shops into the artwork.

The challenge of creating the second mural at number 7 was considerably greater, as the gable was located on the second and third floors and divided by the neighbouring roofline. This made it impossible to view the entire mural from a single angle. Parts of the artwork can be seen from Helsingørsgade, while visitors must walk to Søstien to see the remaining sections.

Despite these challenges, the artists succeeded in portraying part of Hillerød’s history on the gable. The motifs include a majestic red deer, referencing Hillerød’s status as part of UNESCO’s World Heritage area due to the par force hunting landscape established by King Christian V.

The mural also depicts King Christian IV’s queen, Anna Cathrine, handing an apple through a window to a soldier from the Royal Guard. In addition, the artwork features Hillerød’s old coat of arms with an elder tree and the Municipality of Hillerød’s logo, showing a heart-shaped water lily leaf topped with a crown.

The mural has therefore become a powerful visual story of Hillerød’s history and its place within a historic trading street.