Sjølingstad Woollen Mill
Sjølingstad Woollen Mill was founded in 1894 by the Lutheran school teacher August Hoven. Hoven knew little about running a mill, but he succeeded in raising enough money to establish this small factory community in the uplands near Mandal. In 1893 the first girls arrived to join workers from the village in producing wool, rugs and textiles for the clothing industry. Hoven was a fatherly manager, and set up a local bank, a village shop, a post office, and a school. In its heyday the factory had 90 employees, around half of whom were women. The premises were pleasant enough, although the winters were cold, and the machinery was noisy. Operations were wound down in the 1960s due to fierce competition. The factory closed in 1986, but was reopened shortly afterwards as a museum factory.
photo: Bård Løken
Bente Sanden Knudsen
Bente Knudsen Sanden
Bente Knudsen Sanden's artwork stems from a tradition dating back several thousand years and which still has plenty of room for innovative ideas and new forms of expression. Her work is highlighted by her knowledge of textiles and techniques that enables her to develop reliefs and high-quality sculptures. She explores the boundaries between various types of artistic techniques, moves along these boundaries and investigates the possibilities of exceeding them in order to expand her scope.
Bente Knudsen Sanden was educated at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft & Art Industry in Oslo in 1985. She has participated in a number of group and collective exhibitions, and has also held separate exhibitions, undertaken decorative assignments, been involved in public procurement and received several grants. At Sjølingstad she reflects on what is worth taking care of and what is worth remembering.
