| Summary: | Many authors and scholars since the late 60th and onwards have highlighted the textiles of Karin Bergöö Larsson as extremely modernistic and innovative for the time but few facts have been delivered to support this observation in terms of details of patterns and motives. Is it possible to identify and describe what has been declared as modernistic? What does Karin’s preferences for material, technique, pattern and motives tell us about her values and attitudes towards textile as applied art and as art? The collection of Karin’s original textiles at the Carl Larssongården, including a total of 151 objects, is investigated statistically regarding materials, techniques and colors. Furthermore, a limited selection of 20 textiles are investigated more profoundly focusing on Karin’s skills in handling different embroidery and weaving techniques in an artistic innovative way. My research indicates that Karin was more interested in innovative design rather than to preserve and transmit traditional crafts. Patterns and motives most frequently occurring in Karin’s repertoire can either be traced back to peasant art or characterized as influenced by the modernist movement – or both, combined in the same work. Technically Karin is constantly experimenting, developing and expanding her skills outside her comfort zone. She adopts a large number of traditional stitches in different combinations in addition to stitches invented by herself. The way in which she applicates embroidery and weaving techniques together with an artistic design reflecting contemporary art and influences from abroad is the key to what makes Karin exceptionally modernistic, up to date and even far ahead.
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