Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen and Aliona Pazdniakova are Safemuse’s newest staff members. Hilde Louise and Aliona started working in May and will take part in Safemuse’s projects and activities until spring 2026.

Aliona Pazdniakova has a multidisciplinary background within visual art, photography, and philosophy. Process-oriented and versatile in its character, her practice resembles visual research, where she connects artistic and philosophical languages. In her works, she tries to dissect the cultural construct of collective identity, focusing on unveiling the modern versions of ideological formations, as well as the mechanisms behind contemporary mythologies. Aliona holds an MA in Traditional Arts and a BA in Philosophy and Social Sciences from universities in Norway and Belarus. She worked as a photographer, participated in exhibitions both locally and abroad, contributed philosophical texts to several anthologies, and was a guest teacher at the art academy and different cultural institutions.

What does artistic freedom mean to you?

As an artist, I am convinced that artistic freedom is an immanent feature of art as a phenomenon. It is unlimited and boundaryless. In the artistic process, ideas and feelings are supposed to be unrestrained. No matter they are perceived as beautiful or ugly, no one can control them, not even the artist. Another definition appears when we deal with exposure and presentation. In this case, we talk not about art, but about power, political or social. As a citizen, I see artistic freedom as a part of freedom of expression, which is one of the fundamental democratic values.

My experience of living and working in both Belarus and Norway, shows that artistic freedom of expression is under threat not only in totalitarian regimes, but also in democratic countries. Propaganda, censorship, and self-censorship, in direct or camouflaged forms, are used by different ideologies as power mechanisms to suppress the freedom of expression. That is why it is significant to resist the patterns of power misuse and strengthen strategies for protecting basic human rights. Art is an essential engine in this process, which suggests alternative perspectives in reflecting on political and existential problems. I am thrilled to have an opportunity to contribute to the meaningful task of Safemuse to support artists in danger, and with this to promote artistic freedom of expression, solidarity, and integrity.

Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen is a singer, songwriter, actress, and author with two decades of experience in producing, touring, administrating, and promoting art. After studying Theatre Science at the University of Oslo, she started her own record label, and till now she has released 13 albums of her own, in addition to the work of other artists. Her latest project «Stardust» is a tribute to 8 female artists from the last century, celebrating their struggle and success through gender, class, and racial discrimination.

What does artistic freedom mean to you?

I believe that artistic freedom is fundamental for all human beings. Art brings and confirms the meaning of life, and it helps us understand our heritage and history in this world. Being able to create without restrictions, and communicate and educate each other through art is a human right, and it is growing more vulnerable day by day. I was lucky to be born in Norway, being able to work freely for all these years, and in these times, I am grateful to be able to contribute to protecting, promoting, and nurturing artistic freedom through Safemuse.