Tertitt Prestegaard

1945 –

Tertitt Prestegaard (b. May 29, 1945, Luster, Norway) is a Norwegian textile artist and painter known for her tapestry works and watercolors inspired by nature and environmental themes.

Education and Early Career

Prestegaard studied at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry (Statens Håndverks- og Kunstindustriskole) in Oslo from 1965 to 1969 under Kjellaug Hølaas. She furthered her education at the Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts (Statens Kunstakademi) under Halvdan Ljøsne and Ludvig Eikaas from 1982. She also served as a lecturer at Maidstone College of Art in England in 1970 and as a substitute teacher at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry from 1973.

Artistic Practice

Prestegaard’s work primarily involves tapestry, creating large woolen pieces inspired by natural and environmental motifs. Notably, she wove the bishop’s cope for the Diocese of Oslo. Since 1977, she has also painted watercolors, initially focusing on pure nature and landscape depictions, and from 1982, incorporating figurative motifs.

Notable Works and Commissions

Her significant works include tapestries for the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions’ 75th anniversary in Oslo (1974), the Royal Norwegian Embassy in London (1970), and the bishop’s cope for the Diocese of Oslo (1975). She also created artworks for institutions such as Træleborg New Nursing Home in Tønsberg (1979) and His Majesty The King’s Guard in Oslo (1981).

Exhibitions and Memberships

Prestegaard has participated in various exhibitions, including the Autumn Exhibition (Høstutstillingen) in 1981 and the Eastern Exhibition (Østlandsutstillingen) in 1980 and 1983. She held solo exhibitions at venues such as Lillehammer Art Museum (1977) and Hamar Art Association (1981). She is a member of the Norwegian Textile Artists (Norske Tekstilkunstnere), serving on its board from 1980 to 1981 and 1983 to 1984, and the Akershus Visual Artists Association (Akershus Bildende Kunstneres Forening), serving as a deputy member of the Permanent Jury from 1979 to 1980.

Legacy

Through her dedication to textile arts and painting, Tertitt Prestegaard has made significant contributions to Norwegian art, blending traditional techniques with contemporary themes.