Tor-Vegard Mørkved is an art blacksmith from Sund, Lofoten, and the successor to Hans Gjertsen, known as “Gammeslsmeden” (The Old Blacksmith). Tor-Vegard continues the tradition of creating his emblematic artwork: a hand-forged cormorant sculpture standing on a piece of stone from Lofoten. He practices traditional hot forging by hand and mechanical hammer, using his deep knowledge of metallurgy and tools to shape steel. He applies different finishing techniques to his sculptures, such as burning oil onto the surface for a black finish or brushing brass onto hot metal for a golden shine, creating dynamic figures inspired by the nature and people of Lofoten.

The cormorant is a mythical bird in Norwegian coastal culture, and its significance is rooted in the 300-year-old tale of Utrøst, a legendary island that rises from the sea to save those in mortal danger. In the story, a poor fisherman named Isak is lost in a storm and guided to safety by three cormorants, who are revealed to be the sons of the island’s master. In contrast to the Draug (a supernatural sea spirit in Norwegian folklore, often the ghost of a drowned sailor), which foretells misfortune and death, the cormorants are a powerful symbol of rescue and good fortune. This deep-seated myth infuses Tor-Vegard’s artwork with profound cultural meaning, connecting the physical craft to the living folklore of the coast.