Frida Hansen: A Norwegian Art Nouveau Artist in Wool with Robbie LaFleur
Enjoy this video presentation by writer, weaver, and Vesterheim instructor Robbie LaFleur as she shares the life and work of the innovative Norwegian tapestry artist Frida Hansen (1855-1931). LaFleur spent the month of May 2019 in Stavanger, Norway, on a master artist fellowship from the American Scandinavian Foundation. She studied the weaving of Hansen, whose work captured flowers, enigmatic women, trees, and mermaids in flowing Art Nouveau Style. Frida Hansen was famous for her monumental tapestries, but she also designed transparencies—curtains and hangings with wool warp and weft. In her signature technique, she left open unwoven areas in the weaving, making the textiles flowing and flexible. Her striking designs were enhanced by the play of light and dark with the open warps.