HARALD AUSTAD’S SOLO EXHIBIT OPENS TO PACKED HOUSE AT COREY HELFORD GALLERY IN LA
Corey Helford Gallery (CHG) in Los Angeles celebrated the full-house opening reception of POWER PORTRAITS, the new solo exhibition by Norwegian multidisciplinary artist Harald Austad, on Saturday, April 4, 2026, drawing over 1,000 visitors throughout the evening.
Celebrity-Filled Opening Reception For POWER PORTRAITS with Live Performance by his wife and muse Margie Plus.
POWER PORTRAITS introduces Austad’s newest body of work and one-of-a-kind custom portrait concept, inviting guests to become part of the artwork itself through his live “Silhouette Sessions”.
During the opening, attendees experienced Austad’s immersive portrait process firsthand, collaborating with the artist at a dedicated photo station to begin creating their own custom Power Portrait commissions.
The exhibit is open until May 9th.
The exhibition featured five central portraits, created as the visual anchor of the show, among them was MTV personality Chanel West Coast, artist and muse Margie Plus, and creative director CC Boom. The paintings works highlighted Austad’s signature philosophy of “minimal shapes, maximum color”, transforming each silhouette into a vibrant, graphic statement piece.
The opening reception quickly became one of the gallery’s most talked-about evenings of the season, with a crowd of about 1,000 guests filling the space throughout the night. Notable attendees included supermodel Shaun Ross and a wide range of influential creatives, tastemakers, and digital personalities including @thetalkofshame, @pammyhilton, @sarahsokolmilliner, @lunalovebad, @ccboom, @domfennison, @onch, and @yif_chen_ from the House of Miyake Mugler.
Harald Austad (b. 1984) is a Norwegian multidisciplinary artist based in Los Angeles, known for his Supergraphic style. He paints by his philosophy of ‘minimal shapes, maximum color’ and is on a mission to color the world with joy. He continues where Space Age left off, merging art with his Scandinavian design sensibility. By covering his paintings with his signature blend of resin & glitter, he turns the artworks into jewelry for your wall.
As a multidisciplinary artist, Harald Austad has built a name for himself as a music producer & songwriter with 100+ million streams. He has a BA in Creativity and also graduated the revered Danish creative leadership school Kaospilot.
“I got inspired to make the Power Portraits when I found a black and white shadow portrait of my grandmother,” said Austad. “I wanted to reinterpret the historical tradition of portraits, from Royal to Warhol, and turn it into my Supergraphic style. I merge art and design to capture your essence through shape and color alone, and base the portraits on the simplest recognizable form, your silhouette. I love vibrant colors and use them to uplift, empower, and spread joy. My vision is to transform your favorite colors into an iconic Power Portrait that lights up the world and celebrates you.”
One of the night’s standout moments came when Harald’s wife Margie Plus delivered a surprise live performance of her single “FACE” to a packed house. The song is made by the creative couple and was perfect for the portrait theme of the night. Joined by members of ballroom’s iconic House of Miyake Mugler, Margie Plus transformed the gallery into an electrifying celebration of glamour, confidence, and self-expression. The performance invited guests to “learn how to serve face” before stepping into Austad’s custom portrait experience, setting the tone for attendees preparing to commission their own Power Portrait.
For the first time, Austad is opening his celebrated portrait practice beyond celebrities, royals, and private collectors, offering the public a rare opportunity to commission their own custom Power Portrait. Through his signature “Silhouette Session,” collectors are invited to become both the subject and collaborator in the creation of a one-of-a-kind artwork.
During the experience, Austad will get to know you personally, photograph your profile, and explore your favorite colors and aesthetic to create a truly unique portrait that captures your essence. The experience may be enjoyed personally or gifted to a loved one, making it an extraordinary and meaningful commission. “This is a rare opportunity to be both a collector and a collaborator,” said Austad. “To own a 1-of-1 work that exists only because of you.”
Collectors may choose from three Power Portrait formats:
• XL: 36 x 36 inches — 1-of-1 hand-painted acrylic on wood, finished with resin & glitter
• L: 24 x 24 inches — 1-of-1 hand-painted acrylic on wood, finished with resin & glitter
• M: 16 x 16 inches fine art print on 325 GSM archival baryta paper,
framed to 20 x 20 inches
Each completed Power Portrait also includes a matching wearable “Amulet of Authenticity,” created to accompany and authenticate the artwork. Portrait commissions will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with paintings beginning in the order reservations are received. Final artworks are expected to be completed approximately 45 days afterthe Silhouette Session.
Availability is extremely limited.
To inquire about or reserve your Power Portrait, please contact: art@haraldaustad.com
EXHIBITION INFORMATION
POWER PORTRAITS
Harald Austad
On View: April 4 – May 9, 2026
Location: Corey Helford Gallery
571 S. Anderson St.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Saturday
12:00 - 18:00
ABOUT COREY HELFORD GALLERY
Established in 2006 by Jan Corey Helford and her husband, television producer/creator Bruce Helford (The Conners, Lopez vs. Lopez, Anger Management, The Drew Carey Show, and George Lopez), Corey Helford Gallery has evolved into one of the premier galleries of New Contemporary art. The gallery supports a diverse range of artists, from emerging talents to internationally established names, whose work spans New Figurative Art, Pop Surrealism, Neo Pop, Graffiti, and Street Art. Located in a 12,000-square-foot building in Downtown Los Angeles, CHG presents new exhibitions approximately every six weeks.
