Karin's story
Karin Sundbye (1928–2024), or Bubu as many knew her, was a Norwegian textile artist with a long and distinctive body of work. Over several decades she developed a strong visual language, marked by colour, contrast and a deep fascination with materials and nature.
Childhood and early years
Bubu grew up in a family where craft and materials were a natural part of everyday life. Her father ran a tannery, and she developed an early, close relationship with textures, processes and physical work.
During the war she began to draw and paint, and an interest in art took shape. Even as a young girl she showed a curiosity and independence that would mark her whole life.
Her childhood laid the foundation for her later work, where an understanding of materials and the tactile was always central.
A life in motion
Karin began with painting, but gradually found her expression in textile. She trained at Statens Håndverks- og Kunstindustriskole and developed a strong understanding of both form and material.
She was not afraid to go her own way, and the choice to work with textile was the start of a distinctive, lifelong body of work.
Throughout her life Karin travelled a great deal and drew inspiration from places, people and nature. Stays in Spain, among other places, and encounters with different cultures left their mark on both her life and her work.
She was a storyteller, with an eye for details and experiences that later became part of her expression.
A long life in art
Bubu was active through much of her life and continued to create and take part in the art community well into old age. She was known as a strong and independent person, with clear opinions and great passion for what she did.
She died in 2024, at the age of 96, leaving behind a rich body of work and a strong personal mark.