THE POWER OF PRINT

In the summer of 2025, the exhibition THE POWER OF PRINT opens, showcasing textiles from the greatest Danish fabric printers throughout history, and displaying new textiles from a select group of the most talented fabric 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.

The fabric printing technique offers endless possibilities for creating diverse and unique patterns and motifs on woven fabric. The limitless potential within fabric printing can be observed in many parts of our everyday lives – from home textiles to clothing that likely hides printed designs. Danish fabric printing from the early 20th century onward was particularly instrumental in shaping the internationally recognized Danish interior culture, where play with colors, repeated motifs, and images also allowed space for poetry and humor.

Fabric Printing in the Golden Age of Danish Design

In the first part of the exhibition, visitors are introduced to the rich collection, ranging from the first attempts by Danish artisans to transfer patterns and motifs using printing blocks to screen printing done in their own workshops. The Danish tradition of individual workshops and hand printing was significant, but it was through collaboration with industry that architects and practicing artists such as Arne Jacobsen and Axel Salto came to play a role. Fabric printing, however, was predominantly a women’s craft, and the exhibition particularly highlights the female artisans who defined the field, with fabric prints from artists such as Marie Gudme Leth, Helga Foght, Ruth Hull, Dorte Raaschou, and Grete Ehs Østergaard. More recent prints from fabric printers like Vibeke Riisberg, Pernille Holm, and Margrethe Odgaard will also be displayed.

Fabric Printing Today
The second part of the museum’s exhibition showcases textiles created by eight of the most prominent Danish fabric printers working today – Josefina Enevold, Lisbet Friis, Bitten Hegelund, Else Borup Kallesøe, Anne Fabricius Møller, Liv Marie Rømer, Trine Tronhjem, and Janne Wendt – who use hand printing as an artistic expression. This group is dedicated to developing the craft, bringing new aesthetic, technical, and material qualities. The exhibited works in this section are created specifically for the exhibition.

The exhibition will be on show from May 22, 2025, to January 4, 2026