Kitty Kielland (1843–1914) and Frida Hansen (1855–1931) led extraordinary lives. They were pioneers in their respective artistic fields, exhibited frequently, made their mark as public writers, and worked across several arenas for artistic freedom and women’s liberation. Both drew inspiration from the landscape and plant life of Jæren and Ryfylke, and developed their art in dialogue with both Norwegian and international art scenes. They exhibited at many of the same venues, including the World’s Fairs in Chicago and Paris, and at the Stavanger Art Association, which at the time was housed in the Stavanger Museum at Kannikhøyden.

From the Roots takes its starting point in Kielland and Hansen’s shared roots in Stavanger. The two artists grew up in the same environment and were almost neighbours for many years. Hansen painted alongside Kielland before marrying. In 1872, Kielland moved to Karlsruhe to study landscape painting. She later lived in Munich and Paris but frequently returned to Stavanger, where she exhibited with the Art Association and was active in the women’s reading society—two cultural institutions that Hansen also belonged to. Hansen cultivated flowers and developed an impressive garden around the Køhler House in Stavanger. The major financial crash in 1883 led to the bankruptcy of the Hansen family and much of the city’s trade. Hansen moved to a flat in Old Stavanger, where her career began—first with embroidery, then plant dyeing and tapestry weaving.

In 1889, Hansen founded Norway’s first plant dye workshop in Stavanger. In 1892, she established a weaving studio in Oslo with several employees, producing carpets, tapestries, cushions, tablecloths and upholstery. Kielland co-founded the Norwegian Association for Women’s Rights in 1884. She also served as an advisor for the women’s exhibition at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, where Hansen exhibited her tapestry Dandelion. Together with Randi Blehr, Hansen established the joint-stock company Norsk Aaklæde- og Billedtæppe-Væveri, with Kielland and Harriet Backer among its shareholders. Both Hansen and Kielland eventually settled permanently in Oslo while continuing to travel extensively to countries such as France, England, Italy and Denmark.

From the Roots presents artworks addressing themes such as the artistic process, views on nature, identity, the artist’s home, women’s rights, and public engagement in the years before and after 1900. With several loans and works from the museum's own collection, the exhibition also marks Stavanger's 900th anniversary in 2025.