Grete Refsum has a broad academic and artistic background: 1976, Nutritionist Candidate, University of Oslo; 1977, Hovedfag/MSc Environmental Manager, University of Agriculture; 1978, Examen Philosophicum, University of Oslo; 1985, Diploma Painting/Stained Glass and 1992, Hovedfag/MA Colour/Form, National College of Art and Design; 2000, Dr. ing./PhD Oslo School of Architecture and Design. She is currently part time employed in Oslo National Academy of the Arts as Senior Adviser and Adjunct Professor, and was editor of the Annual Review 2004 and the prize-winning Annual Review 2008.
Academically, Dr. Refsum has contributed to the development of research in art and design through her practice-based research and art/design development work. She has taken part in the international discourse on these issues through numerous conferences and publications, and been peer reviewer in the following International Association of Societies of Design Research conferences: 2009 Korea, 2008 Sheffield, Hong Kong 2007, 2006 Lisbon, and at The Art of Research conference in Helsinki (TAIK) 2009.
As a professional visual artist, Grete Refsum keeps focus on religion and spirituality, with the aim of contributing to revitalize and bridge Christian traditions within contemporary culture. During 25 years, Refsum has systematically explored central Christian themes. Her point of departure lies within the Western traditions of The Roman Catholic and The Evangelical Lutheran Churches that she knows through practice. Refsum works in series and has through her art production visualized Christian symbols and ideas in materialized form, like: the cross/crucifix, sacraments, prayer/meditation, and liturgy. Her artistic concepts are informed by current theological research, and the resulting formal interpretations intend to invite dialogues: ecumenical, inter-religious, and even secular.
Grete Refsum has held numerous artist’s talks, lectures and workshops, contributed in art projects, particularly in ecclesial spaces that comprise: liturgical use of art through art interventions and installations, performances, and shows of various kinds and also permanent embellishments. Recent shows are: InSpiritus shown in Leeds (Roman Catholic) and Oslo (Evangelical Lutheran) Cathedrals 2005; God is There shown in New York 2007, Copenhagen 2008 and in Oslo Cathedral 2011 (when opening after conservation).
Refsum continues working with artistic research, developing theory and methodology along with the exploration of her current theme: prayer/meditation. Her ongoing projects address the contemporary challenges of ecology and globalization. They are structured through collaboration in networks with other artists and groups. These projects take place in different contexts: ecclesial and secular, including the landscape. One ongoing project is Binding Together in Oslo Cathedral that is a collaboration with Amnesty International.
Part of Refsum’s current work contributes in Group 11, Liturgy and Life, in the international Christian Faith & Earth project to be finalized and shown in Cape Town 2012.
- Complete CV 10.06.10
- Caroline Levisse has published the article L’art “ecclésial” de Grete Refsum in the French web journal Narthex.