One-of-a-kind Swedish history tapestry on display at Bishop Hill Museum

BISHOP HILL, IL - A large, one-of-a-kind tapestry commissioned in Sweden that depicts the 1800s Swedish settlement at Bishop Hill is now on display at Bishop Hill State Historic Site Museum.

 

            The six-by-twelve foot, wool and linen tapestry, entitled "Bishop Hill:  Homage to Olof Krans," may be seen through the end of the year at Bishop Hill.  It is one of a series of nine contemporary tapestries commissioned in Sweden to depict key eras and themes in Swedish-American history.    

 

            The Bishop Hill tapestry contains religious references, such as a dove and a clock symbolizing God's eye, as well as Erik Jansson, the pastor who fled religious persecution in Sweden to establish Bishop Hill in 1846.  The settlers are shown in their daily activities, including farming, carpentry, tanning, shoemaking, tailoring, spinning and weaving.  Self-taught artist Olof Krans is also depicted, and his contemporary images of Bishop Hill, which are displayed year-round in the Museum, inspired many of the scenes on the tapestry.

 

            The project was conceived by gallery owner C. Valen who commissioned textile artist Asa Bengtsson of Stockholm, Sweden to design all nine tapestries.  Bengtsson has had individual exhibitions in Stockholm, Kalmar and Borås, Sweden, and has been featured in group exhibitions in Japan, Norway, Pakistan, Iceland, and the United States.  Her public commissions include buildings in Sweden and England.    

           

            Bishop Hill State Historic Site is administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (www.Illinois-History.gov) and includes three buildings that are open daily for free public tours:  The Museum, including more than 90 Olof Krans paintings; the Colony Church; and the Bjorklund Hotel.  The entire Bishop Hill community today retains most of its original mid-1800s character.  Bishop Hill is located off of U.S. Route 34 just west of Galva, Illinois.