This September, in collaboration with New York Textile Month, Scandinavia House unveils the third edition of NORDIC TEXTILE TAKEOVER, an exhibition, workshop series, and symposium centered on contemporary Nordic textiles. Titled THE COLD STITCH, this year’s program spotlights textile art as a living practice shaped by the cultures of the North, where stitching remains a vital means of mending, preserving, and reimagining the world around us.
On view from September 4-16, the exhibition gathers artists from across the Nordic region whose work treats textiles as both material and language. Featured artists include Margrethe Aanestad (Norway), Valgerður Bergsdottir (Iceland), Ellen Dynebrink (Sweden), Ragna Froda (Iceland), Heidi Hankaniemi (Finland), Ingunn Fjóla IngÞórsdóttir (IS), Lee Jensen (Denmark), Andrea Magdalena Jonsdottir (IS), John K. Raustein (NO), Randi Samsonsen (Faroe Islands), Sunna Sigfríðardóttir (IS), Nora Martine Hjelle Strand (NO), Thórunn Elísabet (Tótalisa) (IS), Josabet Werkmäster (SE), Mette Winckelmann (DK) and Kiyoshi Yamamoto (NO).
Using quilting, patchwork, collage, weaving, hand embroidery, sculptural textiles, and both visible and hidden stitching, the exhibition examines how textile traditions continue to develop within contemporary art. A stitch can join fragments while still leaving histories, emotions, political reflections, and personal stories in view. In keeping with that idea, many of the works draw on reuse and transformation, giving discarded fabrics, garments, yarns, and textile remnants new significance through artistic process.
THE COLD STITCH will also be accompanied by a schedule of public events. Highlights include a Curator Walkthrough led by Ragna Froda on Sept 5 at 2pm, a Basket Weaving Workshop with Leila Bacch on Sept 8 at 5:30pm, and Artist Talks on Sept 12 at 2pm featuring Thórunn Elísabet (Tótalisa), Nora Martine Hjelle Strand, and Ingunn Fjóla IngÞórsdóttir. Additional programming includes a Curator Walkthrough and Reception on Sept 12 from 4pm-6pm, a Stitching Circle Workshop on Sept 13 from 12pm–4pm, and an Artist Talk and Workshop with Heidi Hankaniemi on Sept 16 from 3pm–6pm, followed by a Final Curator Walkthrough at 6pm.
Gallery hours are Sept 4-15, Tuesday-Sunday, 12pm–6pm, and Sept 16, Wednesday, 12pm–8pm. Admission is free. Organized by the American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF), THE COLD STITCH is co-organized by Ragna Froda (IS/U.S.), director of New York Textile Month, and Emily Stoddart (Canada), manager of exhibitions and community programs at Scandinavia House. The exhibition is curated by Ragna Froda, and all events take place at Scandinavia House, 58 Park Avenue (b/w 37th & 38th Streets), NYC. Learn more at scandinaviahouse.org.
