Inger-Johanne Brautaset

Inger-Johanne Brautaset (born May 3, 1944, in Sunndal, Norway) is a distinguished Norwegian textile artist and painter, celebrated for her innovative use of materials and exploration of themes related to cultural heritage and environmental concerns.

Education and Early Career

Brautaset pursued her education in textile arts at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry (SHKS) in Oslo, specializing in weaving. She furthered her studies in textile design at the Bergen National Academy of the Arts (BKS) and attended the Vestlandets Kunstakademi in Bergen.

Artistic Practice

Operating her own weaving studio since 1972, Brautaset’s early works are characterized by tapestries woven with wool, incorporating materials such as linen, cotton, and nylon. Her compositions often feature white surfaces disrupted by contrasting linear patterns in black and gray tones, creating a nearly graphic impression. Titles like “Landskap I” and “Landskap II” reflect her lyrical inclination.

Over time, Brautaset expanded her artistic repertoire to include mixed media works, utilizing handmade paper, acrylics, pigments, and PVA on canvas. Her projects frequently delve into themes such as the loss of art and culture, as exemplified in her series “The Road to Aleppo,” which contemplates the destruction in Syria.

Exhibitions and Collaborations

Brautaset has held numerous solo exhibitions, including at Kunstnerforbundet in Oslo, Sogn og Fjordane Kunstsenter in Førde, Galleri S.E in Bergen, and Trondheim Kunstmuseum. Her works have been showcased internationally, such as at the M.K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Fine Art in Kaunas, Lithuania, and LÁ Art Museum in Hveragerdi, Iceland.

In collaboration with artist Gudrun Gunnarsdottir, Brautaset developed the project “HAVET lever fint uten oss” (“The Ocean Manages Fine Without Us”), addressing the exploitation and pollution of the oceans and their impact on climate and living conditions. This project was exhibited at Oseana Kunst- og Kultursenter in Os, Vestland, and at LÁ Art Museum in Iceland.

Collections and Recognition

Brautaset’s works are included in various public and private collections, including those of the Norwegian Cultural Council, Trondheim Kunstmuseum, Her Majesty Queen Noor Al Hussein Foundation in Jordan, and the Municipality of Bergen.

Through her innovative techniques and thematic explorations, Inger-Johanne Brautaset continues to make significant contributions to contemporary textile art, engaging with both historical and environmental narratives.