This solo exhibition presents a selection of contemporary works by Danish-born fiber artist Inge Norgaard. Drawing on cultural traditions, forms, and media of her homeland, filtered through the experience of acquiring a new identity as an immigrant artist Norgaard responds to both opportunities and crises in contemporary American society.

A resident of Port Townsend, Washington, Norgaard was originally trained in weaving atthe Art Academy in Arhus, Denmark. She spent four years studying graphic design and print making and after many years of producing figurative work and focusing on themes relating to Norse Mythology, Norgaard has most recently become interested in using cleaner lines and light in her tapestries. This exhibition presents selections from two bodies of her tapestry work the Life Interrupted series and The Red Crosses.

Inspired by friends who were diagnosed with cancer, in the Life Interrupted series Norgaard works with moths as a metaphor for disease. About the series she comments, "[moths] the total enemy of wool and tapestry are used as a metaphor for the intrusion of
cancer. By the time the destruction has become apparent life has to be put on hold and the intrusion has to be dealt with for us to survive. This fear of life cut short and sudden change is symbolized by the cut edges of the work."

The second body of work The Red Crosses was inspired by a recent trip to Turkey. In Turkey the color red is frequently used in textiles. Norgaard intentionally chose red in this series as a symbol reflecting what goes on in the world today and the need for caring and help. Using the crosses in a variety of positions, Norgaard crops the image to create strong graphic effects. Often mounted with loose ends, the tapestries depict that time is not always on our side.

Inge Norgaard: Contemporary Fiber was presented in conjunction with the exhibition Home/Land: Artists, Immigration and Identity in the Society for Contemporary Craft's main galleries in the Strip District.