THE POWER OF PRINT

THE POWER OF PRINT is showcasing textiles by some of the greatest Danish textile printers throughout history, and displaying new textiles from a select group of the most skilled textile printers of our time. The exhibition tells the story of an overlooked area in Danish craftsmanship and design, and for the first time, the lavish collection of Danish printed textiles from Designmuseum Danmark is presented on such a large scale.

Textiles surround us – we wear them, decorate our homes with them, and their colors, patterns, and motifs play a central role in our daily lives. Yet the story of Danish textile printing and the craftsmanship behind it remains unfamiliar to many. THE POWER OF PRINT at Designmuseum Danmark aims to change that. The exhibition offers a spectacular mosaic of colorful textiles – both contemporary and historical – and invites visitors behind the scenes of this highly specialized craft.

Textile Printing in the Golden Age of Danish Design
From the early 20th century onwards, Danish textile printing helped shape the internationally acclaimed Danish interior and design culture, characterized by playful use of color, recurring motifs, and a touch of poetry and humor. The tradition of small-scale workshops and hand printing was strong in Denmark, but it was through collaboration with the industry that architects and artists like Arne Jacobsen and Axel Salto became involved in textile design. However, it was primarily women who shaped the textile printing field, and the exhibition places special emphasis on artisans such as Marie Gudme Leth, Helga Foght, Ruth Hull, Dorte Raaschou, and Grete Ehs Østergaard. Among the more recent works are prints by textile printers Vibeke Riisberg, Pernille Holm, and Margrethe Odgaard.

A Living Craft
Visitors can look forward to a vibrant and immersive exhibition that not only features many historical gems from the museum’s large textile collection but also offers insight into the craft techniques and a unique opportunity to experience “textile printing now.” THE POWER OF PRINT features works by eight of Denmark’s most prominent practicing textile printers – Josefina Enevold, Lisbet Friis, Bitten Hegelund, Else Borup Kallesøe, Anne Fabricius Møller, Liv Marie Rømer, Trine Tronhjem, and Janne Wendt – all of whom explore artistic expression in hand-printed textiles while developing and renewing the craft. Their exhibited works are created especially for this exhibition and will be shown for the first time.

In connection with THE POWER OF PRINT the book Danish Textile Printing in 100 Years (in Danish) will be published by Strandberg Publishing, written by Designmuseum Danmark curator Kirsten Toftegaard. A smaller catalogue featuring the eight contemporary fabric printers and their works will also be released.

THE POWER OF PRINT will be on show at Designmuseum Danmark from May 22, 2025, to January 4, 2026.