| Naja Abelsen | |
| Birth Place: | Brønderslev |
| Nationality: | Danish-Greenlandic |
Naja Abelsen (born 1964) is a Danish-Greenlandic painter and illustrator. Much of her art is inspired by the myths and sagas of Greenland. In addition to her work as a book illustrator, she has designed 18 stamps for Post Greenland.[1] [2]
Born on 19 April 1964 in Brønderslev, Abelsen is the daughter of a Greenlandic father, the teacher Adolf Konrad Boas Henrik Abelsen, a teacher, and a Danish mother, Kirsten Fokdal, manager of an old people's home. As a child, she spent nine years in Greenland's Qaqortoq where she was exposed to the cultures of both Denmark and Greenland. After attending Kunsthøjskolen i Holbæk (Holbæk's art folk school), she spend two years at Billedskolen in Copenhagen (1987–89) followed by six years at the Danish Design School (1990–96).[1]
Her art is inspired by the people and animals of Greenland, as can be seen in her book illustrations and her work on logos and postage stamps.[1]
In March 2017, Abelsen who has lived on the island of Ærø since 2001 opened a new gallery on Vestergade in Ærøskøbing where many of her works can be seen.[3]