Rosemaling in a modern narrative
New exhibit at Vesterheim
Photo courtesy of Vesterheim
Artist Tara Austin’s work is part of a revival of rosemaling in the Upper Midwest.
Vesterheim
Decorah, Iowa
Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, presents “Boreal Ornament V” in the Vesterheim Commons gallery.
This exhibit of artwork by painter Tara Austin is on view until Sept. 22, 2024. The new Commons building on Vesterheim campus is open with free admission from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
The exhibit features rosemaling with a contemporary painting focus, highlighting the beauty and techniques of this Norwegian decorative tradition infused in a modern narrative.
Austin’s work is part of a revival of rosemaling in the Upper Midwest, which builds on traditions while giving each piece contemporary reworkings.
This exhibit is made possible through support from Tina Keune in memory of Russell Keune.
Austin began rosemaling in 2014 and then completed a year-long rosemaling apprenticeship with Vesterheim Gold Medalist Andrea Herkert.
In 2020, she received a Scandinavian Folk Arts and Cultural Traditions Grant from the American Scandinavian Foundation. Austin received her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and lives on the North Shore of Lake Superior.
Her company, Scandi Bijou, provides painted heirlooms for the modern lifestyle, including Dala horses and rosemaling décor.
“My upbringing in Northern Minnesota instilled an appreciation of botany and a keen observation of patterns in the natural environment,” Austin said. She incorporates techniques from scenic painting and faux finishing, the folk art of Norwegian rosemaling, and reverse painting on glass.
Austin is teaching three painting classes at Vesterheim in early August – “Rosemaling Boreal Plants from Scandinavia,” “Paint Your Own Dala Horse,” and “Gudbrandsdal Style Rosemaling.” Register at vesterheim.org/folk-art-school.
Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in the conversation of the American immigrant journey through the lens of the Norwegian-American experience. Vesterheim offers innovative and interactive exhibits, classes, and programs, both at the dynamic campus and park in scenic Decorah, Iowa, and online at vesterheim.org and Vesterheim social media.
This article originally appeared in the August 2024 issue of The Norwegian American.
