The three horse sculptures – two at Aker Brygge; The Landing, Øvrevoll Gallop Track; Into the Future and on Filipstadkaia; Challenges Ahead is part of a symbolic work. The last in this series is Full Control, which can be found at the TBS Gallery, in the garden in front of the main building.

Forming a coherent series, the horses are, in many ways, Skjølsvik’s counterpart to Munch’s celebrated Frieze of Life. Skjølsvik rarely names his works, but in this project he recognised that titles were a way of reinforcing the message he wished to convey. Life is full of challenges that have to be tackled or else remain unresolved. Throughout his artistic career, Skjølsvik has seen the beauty inherent in difficulty – but rather than wallow in negativity, he prefers to focus on the glimmers of hope. Throughout history and across cultures, horses have always been symbols of strength and beauty.

There is a great range in Skjølsvik's horse sculptures. While "Vesleblakken", in Øvre Rendalen and in the National Museum, is a "faithful trotter", Rex Rodney at Forus Travbane in Stavanger is a sharp competitor. The well-known "Vesleblakken prize" is initiated by the story of the Vesleblakken. It is given to a person who has distinguished himself through selfless efforts. In 2007, the award went to Doctors Without Borders and in 2016 to Per Fugelli. 

Limited-edition, numbered miniatures of Skjølsvik’s horse sculptures are available to purchase at TBS Gallery.

Challenges Ahead, The Landing and Into the Future are traveling with the kick-off in Oslo. Where they then gallop on in the world remains to be seen