Women’s Design and Craft Through the Centuries
Throughout history, women have used art and craft as powerful tools of expression — and as acts of feminism. From textiles to domestic design, creative work has long been a way for women to claim space, share stories, and challenge the boundaries of what is considered “art.”
SAMTAKA is an outdoor installation inspired by this tradition. Its visual language draws from an ancient textile practice — kögur, or fringe — found in clothing, furniture, and other handmade objects. The piece is a collaboration among many women and is suspended between the trees on Sóleyjargata. The feminine fringe connects the streetscape and stands as a symbol of women’s collective strength.
The material itself carries a contrast: it’s typically seen as masculine — bright-colored construction lines usually used on building sites. Yet the vivid colors serve a practical purpose — to stand out in an otherwise grey environment. That, in essence, is what the women’s movement is about: making women visible.