My Background
My godmother gave me my first loom when I was 5 years old and I was hooked on fiber ever since. I continued my studies in fiber art in both the US and Sweden focusing extensively on weaving and off-loom techniques.
My aunt Svea in Sweden passed on her love of textiles to me. Creating one of a kind fiber art pieces is part of who I am as an artist.
My Medium and Inspiration
I don't limit my material choices in my work. I use cotton, wool (including Churro, see above), synthetics, blue jeans, wire, and any other recycled/reused materials that inspire me. I also like to incorporate painting into my weavings. I create clothing, accessories, fine art wall hangings and other textiles for the home using hand weaving and other techniques including hand knitting and crochet.
I enjoy hiking, skiing and mushroom picking in my spare time. Some of my textiles are inspired from nature. With respect to the natural world and the planet I use recycled and reused materials in my fiber art.
Maria Jönsson-Artists Resume
Education:
1991 Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, Illinois-Master of Arts, Fiber/Fabric
1989 Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, Illinois-Bachelor of Fine Arts, Fiber/Fabric
1986 Elgin Community College, Elgin, Illinois-Associate of Arts
International Education:
2007-2014 Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden-Bachelor degree in Archaeology
1984-1985 Sigtuna Folk College, Sigtuna, Sweden-1 year Swedish studies including; Language, Art, History, Political Science, Religion, Drama, and Fiber Art
Solo and Group Exhibitions:
2023 Solo Exhibition of Woven Textiles, Los Alamos Coop Cafe, Los Alamos, NM
Living In Nature, group exhibition, Fuller Lodge Art Center, Los Alamos, NM
2023 Mosaic & Mosaic-Like, contemporary art exhibition, FUSION art space, Albuquerque, NM
2022 Protest: See Something Say Something, contemporary art exhibit, FUSION, Albuquerque, NM
The Fabric of New Mexico, contemporary fiber art exhibit, FUSION art space, Albuquerque, NM
2019 Mapmaker, group exhibition, Fuller Lodge Art Center, Los Alamos, NM
2008 Woven Metal Paintings, solo exhibit, Portal gallery, Fuller Lodge Art Center, Los Alamos, NM
2007 Bold Expressions, group exhibition, Fuller Lodge Art Center, Los Alamos, NM
2006 Woven Paintings, solo exhibition of woven paintings, Aztec Cafe, Santa Fe, NM
2005 The Sacred Feminine, group exhibition. University of New Mexico, Los Alamos, NM
2002-05 Art Through The Loom, group exhibitions, Marigold Arts Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2004 Arte de Descartes, group exhibition, Stables Gallery, Taos, NM
1998-99 Art Through The Loom, group exhibitions, Ghost Ranch Museum, Abiquiu, NM
1998 Creative Extravaganza Style Show, Fuller Lodge/Fuller Lodge Art Center, Los Alamos, NM
1996 Fiber Alumni Show, group exhibition, Northern Illinois University Art Gallery, Chicago, IL
Woven, Whittled, and Wired, group exhibition, Fuller Lodge Art Center, Los Alamos, NM
Art Through The Loom, group exhibition, Santuario de Gudalupe church, Santa Fe, NM
1995 Watercolor 1995, beaded jewelry exhibition, Norris Center Gallery, St. Charles, IL
1994 Exhibition of Beaded Jewelry, Tim Judge Gallery, St. Charles, IL
1991 Small Expressions, group exhibition, Lane Community College Art Gallery, Eugene, OR
1990 Awakening an Environmental Tragedy, M.A. exhibition, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL
Touchy Subjects, group exhibition, ARC Gallery, Chicago, IL
Art of the Absurd, group show, Student Center Gallery, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL
Fiber Arts, solo exhibition of fiber art, Sven & Me Gallery, Lindsborg, Kansas
1989 Expressions in Fiber & Metal, B.F.A. exhibition, Student Center Gallery, NIU, Dekalb IL
The Fine Art of Texture, group exhibition, Norris Center Gallery, St. Charles, IL
Craft Media I, group exhibition, Swen Parson Gallery, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL
Public Art Exhibitions and Installations
1998 Awakening an Environmental Tragedy, Mesa Public Library, Los Alamos, NM
1997 Hibiscus Trochilidae, commissioned hooked rug installation, Mesa Public Library, Los Alamos, NM
Teaching Experience
2022 Espanola Valley Fiber Art Center (EVFAC), instructor in fiber arts, Espanola, NM
-Beginning Knitting and Scandinavian woven star ornament classes
1996-1997 University of New Mexico Los Alamos campus, Los Alamos, NM
-Fabric Printing and Dying classes
1995 Museum of International Folk Art, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM
-Scandinavian star ornament class
1990 Creative Arts Center, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL
-Fabric Printing and Dying classes
Art Fairs/Fiber Art Sales
2023-2024 Rendezvous Fiber Arts Sale, sponsored by Art Through The Loom, Santa Fe, NM
2017-2022 Fall Fiber Fiesta, sponsored by EVFAC, Scottish Rite Temple, Santa Fe, NM
2021 Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival, Santa Fe Convention Center, Santa Fe, NM
2019-2020 Affordable Arts, Fuller Lodge Art Center (FLAC), Los Alamos, NM
2018-2019 New Mexico Fiber Crawl, sponsored by EVFAC and FLAC, Los Alamos, NM
Scholarships/Assistantships
1989-1990 Graduate assistantship, Northern Illinois University fiber department during M.A. program
1988 North Shore Weavers Guild scholarship,Convergence 1988 World Fiber Conference, Chicago
Club/Guild memberships
-Espanola Valley Fiber Art Center (EVFAC), board member/volunteer since 2021
-Las Tejadoras (LasT)
-Art Through The Loom (ATTL)
-New Mexico Mycological Society (NMMS), board member/volunteer since 2023
-Old Spanish Trail Association (OSTA)
-ARS Nova Club, student art club promoting student art exhibits, NIU