Mona Strand
(She/her)
Address: Grensen 9, 0159 Oslo
Floor: 2
Room number: First left
The studio is open Sunday 27 April from 12-17
My artistic practice since 1994 has centered on sculptural headwears and collars, exploring identity and power. I have developed my own artistic language through the craft techniques of millinery techniques, and have had a particular interest in the collar as an artistic expression. My work has been purchased by the National Museum and has been featured in Vogue Scandinavia, Vogue Arabia and Vogue Portugal. I have recently received a 10-year artist fellowship, which have given me a unique opportunity to immerse myself in artistic processes.
Textile art, millinary techniques, colouring and modelling.
Honeydew, by Mona Strand, collar, 2023. Photo: Mona Strand.
Circulation, Mona Strand, collar, 2023. Photo: Mona Strand.
Joy, by Mona Strand, collar, 2023. Photo: Mona Strand.
The Crown of Creation, by Mona Strand, sculptural headdress of dreadlocks and horsehair, 2014. Photo: Knut Bry/Tinagent. Stylist: Tora Uhrn. Model: Tonje Aune Øyen
In my studio
You can see the artwork and tools used in production and the techniques I use. This includes hat blocks, felt, straw, color swatches and materials. You can see finished hat models and other experimental artworks made through these techniques. Some collars will hang from the ceiling as sculptural objects.
Planned projects and exhibitions
I plan to mark my 30th anniversary as an artist with an art book and activities. I have an exhibition in 2026 at Notodden, in the Foajegalleriet at USN. I regularly work with art in an expanded arena, which includes both shows, workshops and participation in various fashion projects.
CV
Education
1992 – 1994 Oslo National Academy of the Arts: Master: “Sculptural Headwear”
1988-1992 Oslo National Academy of the Arts: Bachelor: Department of Clothing and Costume
Scholarships
2022 10-year work grant for artists, State Artist Grant, Norwegian Craftsmen’s Grant Committee
2021 Oslo Municipality, Reconstruction 9/2021
2019 Scholarship, Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage: Shola – the Wonder Wood.
2019 Scholarship, travel and accommodation for two to a workshop in Calcutta: Banglanatak & ‘Cultural Preservation Programme’ of Federal Foreign Office of Germany
2015 NK scholarship: NK’s 40th anniversary
2014 Exhibition grant from the Norwegian Arts Council for a solo exhibition, Veksthus in the Museum of Fine Arts
2014 Project support from NK for Veksthus, installation and 20th anniversary of the Museum of Fine Arts
2014 Scholarship, NK, Tusind og en hat, Det Runde Taarn, Copenhagen
2013 3-year working grant for artists, from the Kunsthåndverkernes Fond
2012 NK Project support for installation, Rikssalmet in fin form. Telemuseet in Teknisk Museum
2012 Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Catalogue grant, for Katrinetorp installation, Malmö
2011 1-year immersion grant, Kunsthåndverkernes Fond
2010 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Catalogue grant, for installation in Värmland Museum, von Echstedska Gården
2010 Travel grant, UD
2006 Travel and study grant, Statens Kunstnerstipend
2005 Material grant, Statens Kunstnerstipend
2005 Oslo Bys Kulturstipend
2003 Continuing education grant for artists
2000 1-year work grant for artists, Statens Kunstnerstipend
1998 2-year work grant for younger artists, Statens Kunstnerstipend
Solo exhibitions
2023 Det gule huset, Asker, ‘Rare species’
2018 Kunsthåndverkerne i Kongens gate, Oslo «Herbaratorium»
2017 Telenor, Fornebu, ‘Riks’
2014 The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design, Museum of Decorative Arts in Oslo, Anniversary exhibition Mona Strand 20 years: Hatteglede – an exhibition about and with hats, the installation ‘Veksthus’, screening, workshop, hat-talk.
2012 Katrinetorp, «Cascades and Feathers». Malmö
2012 Telemuseet in Teknisk Museum, «Riks- smalte in fin form»
2011 GalleriCorNucOpia, Oslo, ”Masks – it’s about protection”
2010 Värmland Museum, Von Echstedska Gården; ”Fearful and perishable”.
2009 Nääs Konsthandverk, Nääs slott, ”Castle secrets”
2005 Kunstbanken, Hamar, Clothing as art: ”Nesting” project room
2002 Hordaland Kunstnersenter, ”Head series 2000”,
2000 Norsk Form, Gallery Falsen, ”Hats inspired by African hairstyles”
Group and collective exhibitions, selection:
2023 University Gallery, PP33, OsloMet, Transform, Craft Hub, Creative Europe EU
2022 National Museum, Hat developed in collaboration with Peer Spook, exhibited in the permanent collection about Peer Spook
2022 National Museum, Hat for sportswear from the 20s, exhibited in the permanent collection room 19
2022 Galleri Fjordheim, Biri, ‘Sculptural hats and jewelry’ (4 mini-solo exhibitions; Mona Strand, Heidi Sand, Tamara Marbl Joka, Millie Behrens)
2022 London Hat Week 2022, Exhibition Community Ahead
2021 Oslo Municipality Cultural Affairs Office; Reconstruction 2021: Hvervenbukta Pavilion
2019 Kolkata Centre for Creativity, Calcutta, India: «Sholar Shangshar: Shola the Wonder Wood»
2019 Technical Museum, Oslo, ‘Steaming Hats’
2018 Hedmark Museums, Domkirkeodden, Anno 2018,
2014 Värmland Museum, von Echstedska Gården, 250th Anniversary Exhibition
2014 Det Runde Taarn, Copenhagen, Thousand and One Hat,
2014 Galleri Vest, Artists’ Autumn Exhibition in Stavern
2014 Kirkeristen, Oslo, Generally Disconnected,
2011 Rådhusgalleriet, Oslo Rådhus, ”10th Anniversary for Norwegian milliners and hat designers”;
2007 Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum, ”Masterful fashion”, Haute Couture, Fashion designers 1895-2007.
2006 DogA, Centre for Design and Architecture, “5 crossing borders” &“The new subjectivity in design/UK”
2006 Usher Gallery, Lincoln, Harley Gallery, Nottingham, Gallery Oldham, Oldham, England:
“Conceptual Craft from Norway”.
2005 The Royal Palace in Stockholm, Livrustkammaren, ”5 crossing borders”
2005 Theodor Zink Museum, Kaiserslautern, Germany, ”Die Sprache der Dinge”,
2004 Galerie für Schmück Hilde Leiss, Hamburg, Germany, 25th anniversary
2004 Grassimuseum, Leipzig, ”Grassimesse”, Germany.
2002 Akershus Artists’ Center, Headwear
2001 Gallery F-15, ”H2O”, Trends
2000 Hå Gamle Prestegård, Jæren, ”The Body and Art”
1996 Museum of Industrial Art in Oslo, ‘Just Plastic’
1996 Nordenfjeldske Museum of Industrial Art, ‘Just Plastic’
1996 Vestlandske Museum of Industrial Art, ‘Just Plastic’
Purchases for public/private collections
2021 For the new National Museum of Art, Design and Architecture, hat for Peer Spook outfit, permanent collection.
2020 To the new National Museum of Art, Design and Architecture, hat for the collection, room no. 19
2017 Technical Museum: Riks, installation
2016 Norges Bank: Sewn textile fragments
2015 Oslo and Akershus University College, collection
2012 Katrinetorp Landeri, Malmö City, Sweden, collection
2010 Värmland Museum