St. Lucia Festival of Lights

Johnson – Morrison: Tradition and Innovation in Contemporary Textile Art features the collaboration between two
weavers of Swedish descent. David Johnson and Vivian Morrison both attended North Park University, both
currently reside in the Chicagoland area, and both began weaving in the mid-1970s.

David Johnson started out weaving tapestries using traditional techniques and designs inspired by tapestries and
rugs from various cultures, with a strong Swedish influence. Over time his work expanded to include digital
imaging on inkjet canvases and a variety of surface embellishments including beads, both commercial and
handmade, waxed linen knotting, crocheted elements, paint, and wire. Most of his current work is mounted on
painted industrial felt and painted stretched canvas or faux-finished wire screen. Johnson also creates fiberbased
jewelry and Origami boxes. Johnson’s work has been widely exhibited and has been published in books,
catalogs, and magazines including Fiber Arts Design Book and Handwoven.

Vivian Morrison’s work pays homage to traditional Swedish textiles. She weaves with fine yarns on a multiple
harness loom creating complex woven structures for the home and as clothing. Morrison uses a Glimåkra – Ten
Harness Swedish floor loom. She uses natural yarns such as cotton, linen, silk and wool and often dyes her own
yarns to produce unique colors. Her pieces include wall hangings, curtains, table and stair runners, rugs, jackets,
dresses, and scarves. Morrison’s work has been published in such magazines as Better Homes & Gardens and
Handwoven.

Johnson – Morrison: Tradition and Innovation in Contemporary Textile Art will include work focused around
Swedish tradition and nature including wall pieces by each artist, a display of Morrison’s jackets on free-standing
clothing displays, pedestals with Morrison’s runners, a display case of Johnson’s fiber jewelry and Origami boxes,
and text and photographs documenting some of the artists’ tools and processes.
Johnson – Morrison: Tradition and Innovation in Contemporary Textile Art will be on display at the Swedish
American Museum, Sept. 26 through Nov. 30, 2008. Please, join the Museum for several events centered around
Johnson – Morrison: Tradition and Innovation in Contemporary Textile Art, including: the Exhibit opening from 6
p.m. – 8 p.m. on Sept. 26, a Gallery walk at 11 a.m. on Sept. 27, and Start with Art from 7:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. on
Oct. 1.