Kerstin Maria 'Maja' Hallén Fjaestad (1873 - 1961)

Biography

Kerstin Maria (Maja) Fjæstad née Hallén (1873–1961) was a Swedish artist who was successful as a portrait painter, as well as a textile artist and an engraver. Together with her husband Gustaf Fjæstad, at the turn of the century she became an active member of the Rackstad Artists Colony in Värmland. In nearby Arvika, in 1922 she was one of twelve artists who established the crafts association Arvika Konsthantverk which she chaired until 1948. She is remembered in particular for her many woodcuts from the 1910s, combining Nordic and Asian traditions with depictions of cherry branches or spring flowers. Some are to be found in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the British Museum.