Else Marie Jacobsen

Else Marie Jakobsen (28 February 1927 – 12 December 2012) was a distinguished Norwegian textile artist and designer, renowned for her extensive contributions to textile art, particularly within ecclesiastical settings.

Education and Early Career

Born and raised in Kristiansand, Norway, Jakobsen graduated from the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry in 1951. She further honed her skills at the Gobelin tapestry workshop at Uitgeverij In de Knipscheer in the Netherlands in 1950. Upon returning to Norway, she established her own weaving studio in Kristiansand in 1951, initially focusing on functional textiles before transitioning to tapestry art in 1953.

Artistic Contributions

Jakobsen’s oeuvre encompasses over 500 tapestries, with a significant portion dedicated to religious themes. She created 33 altarpieces for churches both domestically and internationally, including commissions in Copenhagen, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates. Her works are characterized by their rich symbolism and profound spiritual expression.
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Notable Works

Among her prominent creations is the altarpiece in Haugerud Church, Oslo, which stands as one of her most recognized works.
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Additionally, she produced a 90-square-meter tapestry for the Science Building at the University of Bergen and a 30-square-meter piece for the Archbishop’s Palace in Trondheim.

Exhibitions and Recognition

Jakobsen’s works have been exhibited internationally, including in Riga, Vilnius, Münster, Copenhagen, Orléans, and Slovakia, as well as in the United States and Denmark. She participated in the Lausanne International Tapestry Biennials and received numerous accolades for her artistic achievements. In 1998, she was appointed Knight, First Class of the Order of St. Olav, and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the MF Norwegian School of Theology.

Legacy

Jakobsen was also active in public service, holding political offices in Kristiansand and serving on various municipal committees. She was a member of the board of the National Gallery and chaired the Association of Southern Norwegian Visual Artists.

Her enduring impact on textile art is preserved through her extensive body of work and her contributions to art and society. Prior to her passing in 2012, she donated a significant portion of her life’s work to the Vest-Agder Museum in Kristiansand, ensuring that her artistic legacy continues to inspire future generations.