BASEL.- It is with great sadness that that I write to you today as my dear friend, great artist and champion of the arts Nils Erik Gjerdevik has died unexpectedly.

Born in Norway (1962) but living since early childhood in Denmark, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague (CZ) and taught at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. He had a very firm knowledge and respect for art history, contemporary art as well as deep knowledge of color, architecture and design.

Aside from his professional qualities, he had an insatiable curiosity for culture of all kinds that he shared with his fellow colleagues, friends and acquaintances. He was always ready with a big smile, good humor, a bear hug, enthusiasm and contagious lust for life. Since the first day we met I sensed that he was a gentleman and someone who cared for others.

Over the past three decades he has mastered drawing, painting and sculpting. He has presented us with fresh and luminous works in non-figurative art with its own vocabulary and keen sense of space. His recognizable painting themes were diagonal, spherical, all-over and grid-like. Reflecting his personality, his drawings are light and uplifting, full of inner spaces, private jokes and full control. The glazed ceramic sculptures evoke futuristic spaces, architectural buildings and cities.

Nils Erik Gjerdevik's works are in numerous collections throughout Europe, North and South America. He was selected to complete public commissions for the Copenhagen Opera House as well as the Danish Parliament.

He leaves behind his long-time partner Birgitte Prins, their daughter Agathe, his son Asger as well as his sister and mother, numerous friends, admirers and karate sparing partners. Our deepest condolences go to his family and friends.