Hannah Ryggen's Political Tapestries at Modern Art Oxford

Modern Art Oxford presented 'Hannah Ryggen: Woven Histories' from 11 November 2017 to 18 February 2018, showcasing the Norwegian weaver's tapestries that address fascism and global politics. Ryggen, a self-taught artist, employed traditional techniques to create large-scale works with contemporary themes, blending personal and political narratives. Her 1943 piece '6 October 1942' depicts Adolf Hitler shooting Henry Gleditsch, with Winston Churchill observing and Ryggen's family in a boat, using oak leaves as a Third Reich symbol. 'Ethiopia' (1935), shown at the 1937 World Expo in Paris, responds to Mussolini's invasion, featuring Emperor Haile Selassie and a figure holding Mussolini's head on a spear. 'Death of Dreams' (1936) portrays Carl von Ossietzky's execution by Nazis, with swastikas dominating the lower section. Ryggen crafted her works on a loom built by her husband, using wool from her sheep and natural dyes, including urine for a signature blue. She exhibited internationally, including at the Venice Biennale in 1964 and in Nazi-occupied Norway, intertwining domestic life on her Trondheim farm with broader struggles. The exhibition highlighted her use of folk tapestry traditions, such as flat perspectives and geometric patterns, to convey urgent messages.