Art Textiles of the World: Scandinavia

editor Matthew Koumis

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The 8th volume of this series is dedicated to 13 artists from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Scandinavia Part 2 is planned for 2005.

Review

This is the 8th edition of Art Textiles of the World, a series that has so far covered textile art in Japan, Great Britain, USA, Australia and the Netherlands.
In this edition the editor himself speaks out on the subject of “A Gentle Geometry”. Being typically Scandinavian, he recognises the link with nature, the yearning for light, the linear geometry, the social isolation, the utilisation of modern next to traditional technology and the relationship with the built-up environment. The latter is closely related to good sponsorship, which facilitates textile commissions. Two of the 13 female artists discussed here are currently working on large commissions: Wagle & Lovaas for the Oslo Opera House and Astrid Krogh for the Copenhagen Parliament building.
The selection of exclusively female textile artists points to a long period of observation. Four artists use traditional weaving techniques and only two work with video and other installations props. It is not surprising that the average age of those involved is almost 50. All the same, I very much like the selection. It demonstrates much of what foreigners admire in Scandinavians, e.g. a poetic effortlessness combined with great skilfulness in terms of technique, an ability to communicate strong feelings with regard to the human existence and also nature, an enthusiasm for experimenting and using new materials and techniques. A second Scandinavian volume is planned, which will not however include textile artists of the Baltic countries. These countries have such a rich tradition of textile art and so many contemporary textile artists that they would certainly deserve a Baltic Volume of this series!
The 13 presented artists are: Gunvor Nervold Antonsen/N with her texts that are partly embroidered on cloth and partly printed, and displayed hanging free in the room; Hildur Bjarnadottir/ISL with conceptual works incorporating old handicraft techniques; Inger-Jonanne Brautaset/N with paper creations on nature themes; Annika Ekdahl/S with large scale tapestries on the basis of photo collages; Ane Henriksen/DK with woven creations reminiscent of Braille; Aino Kajaniemi/FIN with her poetic small tapestries; Astrid Krogh/DK with room installations of optic fibre; Anna Lindal/ISL with textile objects and video installations; Marianne Mannsaaker/N with mysterious traditionally woven tapestries; Piila Saksela/FIN with smock creations made of paper and synthetic silk; Ulla-Maija Vikman/FIN with her well-known thread paintings and the team Wagle & Lovaas/N, who introduce their art work made of stockings and their new concept for the Oslo Opera House.
The editor Matthew Koumis mentions his dream in the book: He would like to see an exhibition of textile art travelling the capital cities of the world, supported by the relevant artist associations and museums!

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