“Opening in April 5, 2025 at Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America, Nordic Echoes — Tradition in Contemporary Art is the first major traveling exhibition of contemporary Nordic folk arts and cultural traditions from the Upper Midwest. Featuring 55 works by 24 contemporary artists whose practices are informed by Nordic traditional skills, the exhibition showcases the malleability and persistence of these traditions in the U.S. Looking at painting and textile traditions as well as works in wood and metal, Nordic Echoes highlights how variations on traditional themes and innovations have led to the emergence of living, evolving forms. No longer static objects rooted in an imagined past, these works explore themes of identity and belonging as well as how traditions have been shaped by their U.S.-based environments.” — Scandinavia House

Installation views of Nordic Echoes — Tradition in Contemporary Art at Scandinavia House, April 5 through August 2, 2025. Photos by Eileen Travell.

Nordic Echoes: Tradition in Contemporary Art was organized by The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) with partial support from The National Endowment for the Arts. It was curated by Sally Yerkovich, Director of Educational Exchange & Special Projects at The American-Scandinavian Foundation.

Title image: Tia Keobounpheng. WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE No. 11, 2023. Pencil, colored pencil, thread on wood. 24 4/5 x 49 x 2 3/4 inches. Photo by E.G. Schempf

Images courtesy Scandinavia House.