Gunnar Norquist grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Descending from a long line of Swedish carpenters he has always loved using his hands. Drawing and building things were among his favorite activities.

Norquist received his B.S. in studio art from the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, Minnesota and then an M.F.A. from the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island. He has exhibited widely including such places as Minneapolis, Providence, New York, and Paris.
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Norquist lives in Providence, Rhode Island with his wife and their dog Weasley.