A great experience at SMK

On Saturday, February 28, SKYTTEN, along with a group of guests, visited the National Gallery of Denmark (SMK) to experience the museum's largest exhibition to date – dedicated to Anna Thommesen and her impressive woven tapestries.

The event was part of a collaboration between SKYTTEN and SMK with two objectives: to develop a new guided tour for the current exhibition "Anna Thommesen – Weavings" and to give participants a unique insight into the fascinating world of tapestries.

The guide had prepared thoroughly and shared the following story, among others: A complex personality with strong opinions and indomitable stubbornness. Anna Thommesen insisted on weaving – and not just as a hobby, but as a livelihood at a time when it was primarily men who had access to such opportunities. She wove in the middle of her family home, surrounded by children and the many tasks of everyday life.
She wove both floor and wall tapestries for everyone, regardless of who they were. She moved effortlessly between high culture and folk culture, uniting the two worlds in her work. Her tapestries were simultaneously works of art and functional everyday objects. As she herself expressed it: "I am everything between heaven and earth."
The loom's network of threads – the vertical warp and the horizontal weft – forms the foundation for her contribution to abstract modernism. "You should be able to see that it's woven," she said, thereby emphasizing the crucial importance of craftsmanship for the work's visual expression.

The event concluded with an exquisite banana cake in the museum's café, where experiences and ideas about weaving, craftsmanship, and techniques were exchanged.

SKYTTEN extends its warm thanks to the National Gallery of Denmark for an excellent collaboration, as well as to all participants who contributed to the event. We greatly appreciate the opportunity and thank you for an inspiring and enriching experience.

Remember to stay updated on upcoming events on SKYTTEN's website under the "Courses" menu.