ABOUT
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Line Nilsen (b. 1985) is a Norwegian artist, designer and hand weaver based in Nottingham, UK. Her practice explores the relationship between painting and weaving, using colour, material and process to create contemporary textile art.
Growing up in the Arctic has had a lasting influence on her work. The changing light and darkness throughout the seasons continue to shape her exploration of colour, atmosphere, memory and our relationship with the natural world.
Nilsen has developed her own approach to weaving, hand-painting the warp threads before weaving them into a textile. Working between painting and weaving, she builds layers of colour and brushstrokes into the work's structure, allowing the image to emerge gradually through the process. Each piece carries a balance of intention and spontaneity, with subtle shifts in colour, texture and surface giving the work its own character.
After graduating from the University for the Creative Arts in 2009, Nilsen went on to work in interior textiles, designing for an international clientele. Since 2016, she has focused on developing her practice as an artist, creating one-of-a-kind woven works, undertaking bespoke commissions and collaborating with designers from her studio at Primary, an artist community in Nottingham.
Her work has been exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts, Collect Art Fair, London Craft Week, London Art Fair and Beam Editions, and is held in private collections across Europe, Asia and the United States.
RESUME
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SoLO
2023. Line Nilsen - Weaving the Arctic, Beam Editions, Primary — Nottingham, UK
GROUP
2025. Masters & Makers, Atelier Como, London Craft Week — London, UK
2025. 40 Dimensions, &Gallery — Edinburgh, UK
2024. Impressions, Nottingham Museum — Nottinghamshire, UK
2024. Harley Open, Harley Gallery — Nottinghamshire, UK
2024. Summer Exhibition, RA — London, UK
2023. Tangible, Gallery at OXO, London Craft Week — London, UK
2023. Wells Art Contemporary, Wells Cathedral — Wells, UK
2023. Small Textiles, Fronteer Gallery — Sheffield, UK
2022. Fibre: Structure and Surface, Gallery 57 — Arundel, UK
2022. Materiality: a state of being, Kindred House — Margate, UK
2022. London Art Fair, Represented by Ruup & Form — London, UK
2020. Juleutstilling, Terminal B, Pikene på Broen — Kirkenes, NO
2020. Wells Art Contemporary — Virtual Exhibition
2017. Spot the Talent, New Ashgate Gallery — Farnham, UK
FAIRS
2026. Primates, Manchester Contemporary — Manchester, UK
2026. Artfully Sorted, FOCUS 2026, DCCH — London, UK
2025. Primates, Manchester Contemporary — Manchester, UK
2022. Collect Open: Collect Art Fair, Crafts Council, Somerset House — London, UK
2021. Collect Art Fair — London, UK
2021. London Art Fair — London, UK
Talks
2026. ‘Entering the art world after…’ in conversation with Hettie Judah / Beam — Nottingham, UK
2023. ‘Weaving The Arctic’ in conversation with Beam — Nottingham, UK
2019. Hothouse Induction Day Speaker — Crafts Council, UK
ReSidencIes / ALUMNI
2016—. Resident Artist at Primary — Nottingham, UK
2017. Hothouse Alumna, Crafts Council — UK
TEACHING
2018—2023. Various Workshops — Weave Studio, Nottingham, UK
2018—2021. Industry Weave Tutor / Lecturer — Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
2017—2021. Weave Tutor / Visiting Lecturer — Loughborough Uni, Loughborough, UK
2019. Skillshare, Scandinavian Knitting — Primary, Nottingham, UK
EMPLOYMENT / FREELANCE
2016—. Freelance Interior Stylist & Designer
2009—. Freelance Weave Designer & Consultant
2014—2016. Textile Designer — ROMO Black Edition, Nottingham, UK
2011—2014. Textile Designer — SAHCO GmbH, Nürnberg, DE
2010—2011. Showroom Consultant — SAHCO Ltd, DCCH, London, UK
2008—2011. Tailor / Studio Assistant — Kristian Aadnevik, London, UK
EDUCATION
2006—2009. BA Textile Design Woven (1st Class Hons) — UCA, Farnham, UK
2004—2006. Men’s Tailoring Diploma — T Michael, Bergen, NO
