GVFaces: Kirsten Strom

January 21, 2025 (Volume 48, Number 10)
Article by Annie Pettit

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Kirsten Strom, professor of art history

Kirsten Strom, professor of art history, traveled to Paris last semester for the International Society for the Study of Surrealism (ISSS), where she displayed her surrealism-inspired dresses, which she wears while teaching.

“A lot of surrealist imagery is based on Freudian themes of dreams, the unconscious and the uncanny,” Strom said. 

She had the inspiration to begin sewing surrealism-inspired dresses when she found a fabric print reminiscent of the art style. Storm said once she had an idea to design a dress from that fabric, there was no going back. She put herself to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I often say that I didn’t bake any sourdough or banana bread during the pandemic, I just sewed surrealist dresses,” she said.

Two years ago, Strom began wearing her dresses to her surrealism classes. 

“The students wouldn’t know when I walked in why I was dressed the way I was, but there was always a moment in each class when I showed them the reference, and I would see people break into a smile, like, “Oh, now I get it!”’ she said.

Strom has attended other ISSS conferences as an art scholar, but last year was her first time as a presenting artist. “I am always inspired by the work of my colleagues. It was fun to hear from people who knew me as a scholar but didn’t know that I am also an artist,” she said. 

She plans to offer a new class, “Basic Garment Design and Practice,” to students soon. 

“Art history is a relatively small area, but we really trust and support each other,” Strom said. “I feel like I can be myself in the classroom and I can teach the things that I am most excited about.”

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