Close-Knit Swedish Themes Textile Artist Annette Fahlstenís Work Reflects Traditions by Carolyn Chapman In its continuing series of exhibitions, the Embassy of Sweden is now presenting the work of Swedish textile artist Annette Fahlsten in her debut U.S. show. ìFahlstenís work says something about Sweden, such as her use of the folk dancers,î said the Swedish Embassyís cultural counselor, Nancy Westman. In ìHambo,î the lithograph to which Westman referred, several couples in brightly colored traditional Swedish folk costumes (which may resemble Eastern European costumes to those not familiar with Swedish traditions) wildly swing each other around, with the womenís long skirts flying and the men kicking their legs back. The dancing couples are set against a black-and-red geometrically patterned background interspersed with small roses. ìItís important to me to display all sorts of expressions, and not just the cutting-edge art, to show the variety of Swedish art today,î said Westman. Fahlstenís work isnít all about Swedish traditions, however. Some of her work portr ays more modern topics, such as ìWith the iBook,î which shows a repetitive pattern of a woman sitting in different positions at a desk, typing on her computer iBook. Repetition of people and things, background and geometric patterns, lightness and darkness, color, and the use of space are recurring themes that define Fahlstenís work. ìSheís unusual because sheís not afraid of claiming space for herself,î noted Westman. ìShe makes big things, which takes courage, both in terms of choosing colors and size. For those types of pieces, you really have to trust your audience and yourself.î For example, ìAt the News-Stand With Roses,î a print on cotton that stretches six and a half feet by five feetóthe largest piece in the exhibitionóshows separate images of groups of people in heavy winter coats standing and talking at a desolate-looking newsstand. The images are set against a heavy, dark green background partially covered by two huge red roses. Fahlsten studied in Sweden at the Royal University College of Fine Arts in Stockholm. Most of her solo exhibitions have been in Sweden, although she has also had two in Japan. Her work has been included in group exhibitions around the world, including Argentina, Pakistan and several European countries. The Swedish Embassy began its showcasing of Swedish artists in their small exhibition space at the embassy in 1999. ìWhen I arrived, the walls were red, and I had them repainted white,î said Westman. A red wall you can leave empty, but a white wall you canít. So she built into her job a responsibility to keep the walls filled with pieces that represent the quality and variety of art coming out of Sweden. ìAnnette Fahlstenís work represents something that I have not shown before.î The Annette Fahlsten exhibit runs through March 20 at the Embassy of Sweden, 1501 M St., NW. For more information, please call (202) 467-2642 or visit www.swedish-embassy.org. Carolyn Chapman is a freelance writer in Washington D.C.