Nina Gjestland

Nina Andreina Gjestland (1919–2013) was a Swiss-born Norwegian textile artist celebrated for her abstract figurative tapestries. Educated as a painter in Switzerland, she transitioned to textile art after moving to Kristiansand, Norway, where she studied under Else Marie Jakobsen. Her notable works include Ennå spinnes det på Kreta (“Still Spinning in Crete”) and Mine katter (“My Cats”), which showcase her unique approach to textile art.

Gjestland’s tapestries are characterized by an abstract figurative style, often incorporating elements inspired by nature and daily life. Her work Evolusjon (“Evolution”), created in 1983, exemplifies this approach and is part of the collection at Kristiansand Folkebibliotek.

Throughout her career, Gjestland participated in various exhibitions, including the Autumn Exhibition (Høstutstillingen) in Oslo and the Sørlandsutstillingen. Her contributions to textile art have been recognized in several public collections, such as those of Kristiansand Handelsgymnasium and Varden Church in Stavanger.