Artists

Bio

Ask Bjørlo (b. 1992, Hønefoss, Norway) is a visual artist specialising in traditional textile crafts, including weaving, embroidery, knitting, lacemaking, and textile sculpture. Bjørlo takes a personal interest in textile history and has a deep respect for its rich heritage. His work engages in dialogue with past traditions and practitioners, often from the queer perspective. Bjørlo draws inspiration from art history, nature, mythical creatures, and childhood memories – the works often with an underlying message about human reference points, feelings, and patience.

Ask Bjørlo

Selected Works

CV

Born 1992 in Hønefoss, Norway. Lives and works in Oslo, Norway.

Education

2017 - 2019

Master in Material based Art, Oslo National Academy of Arts. MFA

2016

Textile Knowledge and History, Uppsala University, Sweden

2015

Kawashima Textile School, Kyoto, Japan

2015

Journeyman’s Certificate as a hand weaver, Svenska Hemsjöjdsföreningarnas Riksförbund,

Stockholm Sweden.

2012 - 2015

Handarbetets Vänners Skola (HV) «Higher Textile Craft program», Stockholm.

2011 - 2012

Nyckelviksskolan, Textile Form, Stockholm.

Exhibitions

2024

Solo show, «Livets kraft», Entrée, Bergen

2023

Duo show, «Ask Bjørlo & Britta Marakatt-Labba», OSL contemporary, Oslo

2021

Solo show, SOFT galleri, Oslo

Solo show, «Tråd varsomt», OSL Contemporary, Oslo

2019

Group exhibition, OSL Contemporary, Oslo

2019

MFA Graduation show, Oslo National Academy of the Arts

2019

Sandefjord Kunstforenings Kunstpris, (group show), Sandefjord Kunstforening.

2018

installation in «Frida Hansens room», Stavanger Kunstmuseum.

2018

«Ode to a dishrag, hymn to a tiger» Kunsthall Stavanger.

2017

Kunstnerforbundets Christmas Exhibition.

2017

«Ode to a dishrag, hymn to a tiger» NTK’s jubileumsutstilling, Kunstnerforbundet. Curated by John Raustein, Kirsti Willemse, Bente Sætrang og Wenche Volle.

2015

Exam exhibition, HV Gallery. Curator, Eva Asp

2013 - 2014

«A thousand threads», Lillehammer Kunstmuseum. Curator, Cecilie Skeide

Selected Press

2018

Norwegian Artist Yearbook, Text by Ann Katrin November Højbo.

2018

Stavanger Aftenblad. Exhibition review by Anne Therese Tveita.

2017

Interview in Aftenposten, written by Kaja Korsvold.

2017

Morgenbladet, Klassekampen, Dagsavisen og Billedkunst (Mentioned in reviews of «Ode to a dishrag, hymn to a tiger»)

2017

«Ode to a dishrag, hamn to a tiger» (Book)

2016

Interview in “Norsk Husflid” nr 4 (Norwegian craft magazine)

2015

Interview in “Vävmagasinet” nr 3 (Swedish weaving magazine)

2014

«Nålens øye, Samtidsbroderi», (Book on contemporary embroidery)

2013

«A thousand threads; Storytelling in textile» (Book)

Teacher/Participant

2017

Participant of «89Plus», a workshop held by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Simon Castets at the Office of Contemporary Art (OCA) in Oslo.

2016

Teacher of a three day course in digital weaving, Ringerike, Norway.

Scholarships

2019

Diversestipend for nyutdannede kunstnere 2019: Bildende kunstneres hjelpefond, Norway

2016

Buskerud fylkes Utviklingsstipend, Norway

2015

Estrid Ericssons Stiftelse, Sweden

2015

Emil, Frida och Stina Hultstrands Minnesfons, Sweden