Hanki: The Mine Detecting Dog That Saved Lives

Written By René Konings
 

I want to share a project that has been particularly meaningful to me. It started as a simple idea between two ordinary people—myself and my friend Øistein Jakobsen —who wanted to make a difference. Together, we developed an art initiative to support Norwegian People's Aid / Norsk Folkehjelp humanitarian mine clearance programme.

 
Hanki by René Konings on the wall at Fellesforbundet, Oslo.
 

I visited their mine detection dog training centre outside Sarajevo, gaining firsthand insight into how dogs operate in areas too dangerous for humans. It was also a personal challenge, confronting my long-standing fear of dogs while seeing their life-saving work.

 
René Konings visiting the Norwegian People's Aid mine-dog training center in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
René Konings visiting the Norwegian People's Aid mine-dog training center in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
René Konings visiting the Norwegian People's Aid mine-dog training center in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 

The project resulted in a portrait of the mine detection dog Hanki, created using materials from Sarajevo, including elements from the historic Hotel Igman. The original artwork was donated and sold at auction for NOK 75,000 and now hangs at Fellesforbundet in Oslo.

 
René Konings crossing a bridge in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
René Konings collecting posters in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
René Konings collecting posters in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Hotel Igman in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
René Konings at Hotel Igman in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
René Konings at Hotel Igman in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 

Additionally, 300 limited edition prints were produced and sold at NOK 5,000 each. When all are sold, they will generate a total of NOK 1.5 million for Norwegian People’s Aid, with all proceeds supporting the mine detection dog training centre.

 
René Konings signing Hanki prints in his studio in Kristiansand.
René Konings signing Hanki prints in his studio in Kristiansand.
 

The project is now complete and stands as an example of how vision, collaboration, and creativity can create tangible impact for humanitarian work.

 
Raymond Johansen, leader of Norwegian People's Aid, at the unveiling of the original work 'Hanki' at Fellesforbundet, Oslo.
Unveiling of the original 'Hanki' at Fellesforbundet, Oslo.
Raymond Johansen, leader of Norwegian People's Aid, at the unveiling of the original work 'Hanki' at Fellesforbundet, Oslo.
René Konings
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