Handwoven: Between Chaos and Order

American Swedish Institute
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 14, 2026–June 8, 2026

Experience the vibrant sensory textile works from expressive Swedish artist Emelie Röndahl in a new exhibition at the American Swedish Institute.

Emelie Röndahl (b. 1982) creates large-scale figurative textiles that challenge and expand the possibilities of rya, a traditional Scandinavian weaving technique. Based in Falkenberg, Sweden, Röndahl holds a PhD in Fine Arts and Crafts from HDK-Valand in Gothenburg, where her research explored the contemporary potential of rya weaving. Her work spans textiles, sculpture, and moving image, often addressing themes of the body, identity, and self-perception.

As a textile artist, Emelie challenges tradition by showcasing new aspects of rya, creating depth and duality in her works, which can be viewed from both sides to tell a deeper story. Her large, woven pieces can be unclear at first, but they reveal themselves upon closer examination. Her works ask viewers to slow down and look closely. Instead of trimming the excess threads, she intentionally lets them hang, where they appear to be “crying.”

On view throughout the Turnblad Mansion, visitors will encounter more than 20 of Röndahl’s handwoven works, including two moving-image pieces and a newly commissioned self-portrait. Video documentation of her weaving process provides further insight into the evolution of her subjects, which range from internet imagery to world events to intimate depictions of family, pets, and her own body.