LUNTA / LAAVAA – SNJÓR / HRAUN – SNOW / LAVA

Voipaala Art Centre, Valkeakoski, Finland

19 November 2026 – 31 January 2027

An extensive international exhibition of contemporary textile art will open at Voipaala Art Centre in November. It presents a diverse selection of the latest textile artworks by four Finnish and four Icelandic textile artists. The exhibition LUNTA / LAAVAA – SNJÓR / HRAUN – SNOW / LAVA presents a strong and material-based perspective on contemporary textile art.

In the Nordic textile art scene, Finland and Iceland stand out for their original artists and strong expression. Artists in both countries have a special relationship with nature, natural materials and colors that come from nature. The artworks in the exhibition deal with our relationship with nature and the world around us and seek answers regarding the coexistence of nature and humanity.

The exhibition LUNTA / LAAVAA – SNJÓR / HRAUN – SNOW / LAVA is inspired by nature and based on ancient primordial elements – air, earth, fire and water – which in our northern life are embodied in snow and lava. The theme opens up perspectives and reflections on the diversity of the northern nature.

Nature manifests in Merja Keskinen´s artworks as colors. She addresses the theme of the exhibition through the four primal elements. The Snow glitters white in silent motion. The Fire has a red and yellow glow. The wintry Sea reflects the bluish hues of the sky. The Stones received their colors at the beginning of time.

The exhibition project strengthens cultural exchange between Finland and Iceland in the fields of textiles, art, and craft. The exhibition is part of the events celebrating the 70th anniversary year of the Finnish Association of Textile Artists TEXO.

The artists participating in the exhibition LUNTA / LAAVAA – SNJÓR / HRAUN – SNOW / LAVA:

Elina Helenius, Laura Isoniemi, Merja Keskinen, Juha Laurikainen, Lily Erla Adamsdóttir, Helga Palina Brynjolfdóttir, Ragna Froda and Svanborg Matthiasdóttir