American Swedish Institute’s 2024 Exhibition Schedule

MINNEAPOLIS—The American Swedish Institute Museum and cultural center announces their upcoming 2024 year of exhibitions beginning by hosting Arctic Highways: Unbounded Indigenous People and then presenting Karin Larsson: Let the Hand be Seen.   

Opening February 3 – May 26, 2024, ASI will host the special travelling exhibition Arctic Highways showcasing work by 12 Indigenous artists from Sápmi and North America sharing the powerful and relatively unseen world of Arctic art and duodji Sámi handcraft. Through handcraft, photography, sculpture, print, moving image, and textiles, these artists share their own stories and what it means to be unbounded—not just for Indigenous People, but for all of us.  

While these artists live on different continents, they regard themselves as kindred spirits.  Curated by Sámi artist-curators Tomas Colbengtson, Gunvor Guttorm, Dan Jåma and Britta Marakatt-Labba, Arctic Highways will include their own works alongside those of artists Matti Aikio, Marja Helander, Laila Susanna Kuhmunen, Olof Marsja, Máret Ánne Sara, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Maureen Gruben, and Meryl McMaster. 

The exhibition also features Mygration an immersive, large-scale installation of drawing and print by Sámi artist Tomas Colbengtson and Swedish artist Stina Folkebrant, presented in collaboration with All My Relations Arts, a Midwest hub for contemporary Native art located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

ASI’s Family Gallery on the lower level of the Turnblad Mansion will also undergo a new transformation as a play-based interactive space for children inspired by the beauty and nature in Minnesota, designed in collaboration with fifth grade students from Hope Academy and life size paintings on the gallery walls by Mygration artist Stina Folkebrant.  

“We are indigenous peoples who live in different countries and on different continents, and yet regard ourselves as peoples with kindred spirits. The borders of nation states, arbitrarily drawn without regard to the landscapes of our ancestors, have been used to group the Sámi people, and to set us up to fight against our brothers and sisters living on the other side, fencing in and silencing our voices and our knowledge.   

With this exhibition we want to tell our own story, through our own experiences, using our own forms of expression. We want to provide opportunities to think broadly about what it means to be unbounded, pointing to the limits that borders set, not just for indigenous people, but for all of us.” – collective statement by curators and artists 

ASI will present its next exhibition starting June 8–October 27, 2024, as it delves into the versatile expertise of Swedish artist Karin Larsson (1859-1928), whose ingenious textiles, clothing, and designs have inspired generations of artists, establishing her as a trendsetting designer and style icon ahead of her time.  

Karin Larsson’s work is a testament to her curiosity, innovative spirit, and openness to influences that she transformed into her unique vision. This exhibition underpins the lasting impact Karin’s work has made on the fields of design and textiles, bringing attention to both her individualistic approach to artistry, and her legacy.  

Those familiar with famed Swedish painter Carl Larsson have likely already encountered Karin Larsson’s work, as her fabulous textiles and furnishings often appeared in Carl’s paintings, particularly when those paintings were of Carl and Karin’s home.   

“We are thrilled to host an exhibition that unveils the work of Karin Larsson,” said Ingrid Nyholm-Lange, Director of Experience. “Through her innovative creations, Karin’s artistry comes to life, offering our viewers an opportunity to explore her creative legacy.” 

“We’re honored to host the upcoming Arctic Highways exhibition in collaboration with All My Relations Arts as we join in celebrating these profound artists’ voices,” said Molly Steenson, ASI president and CEO. “To continue an exciting year, we’re thrilled to bring to the forefront the invaluable contributions that the iconic 19th century designer Karin Larsson has made to the realm of textiles.” 

More information about each exhibition and related programming will be announced soon and will be available on asimn.org.  

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