Randi Nygaard Lium

1954 –

www.randilium.no

Randi Nygaard Lium (b. 1954) is a distinguished Norwegian textile artist, art historian, and author, recognized for her innovative use of materials and significant contributions to the field of textile art.

Education and Early Career

Lium studied at the Jutland Art Academy in Aarhus, Denmark, from 1977 to 1983, where she became part of the Danish textile artists’ circle. She debuted at the Artists’ Easter Exhibition in Aarhus in 1983 and has since maintained an active exhibition presence both domestically and internationally.

Artistic Practice

Lium is known for her innovative use of materials, notably weaving with paper yarn and paper cuts from weekly magazines. Her works often explore themes such as identity, female identity, and connections to urban and rural environments. She combines traditional weaving techniques with unconventional materials, creating pieces that challenge traditional boundaries in Norwegian weaving art.

Professional Roles

Beyond her artistic practice, Lium has held significant positions in the art world, including serving as director of the Trondheim Art Museum and as a senior researcher at the Museums in Sør-Trøndelag (MiST). She has curated numerous exhibitions and lectured on Norwegian textile art both nationally and internationally.

Publications

Lium has authored several books on Norwegian art, including:

“Ny norsk billedvev – et gjennombrudd” (1992): A comprehensive study of modern Norwegian tapestry.
“Tekstilkunst i Norge” (2016): An exploration of textile art in Norway from the Viking Age to contemporary times.
“Broderi som kunstuttrykk” (2019): Examines embroidery as an art form, tracing its development and significance in Norway.

Exhibitions

Lium has participated in various international exhibitions and held solo exhibitions, including:
“Identitet. Vev i papir” (2006): A solo exhibition at the Danish Museum of Design in Copenhagen, featuring her paper weavings.

Legacy

Through her dual roles as an artist and art historian, Randi Nygaard Lium has played a pivotal role in elevating textile art’s status within the broader art community. Her innovative works and scholarly contributions continue to inspire and influence the field of textile art in Norway and beyond.