Artist – Merja Keskinen

Artist Statement

The starting point for my work is the interpretation of colors. The contemporary textile art, that my work represents, is based on consideration of color theories and an examination of the factors that influence the experience of color. In my art I deal with the changes in tones of color, darkness and pureness. I explore the interactions of colors and the mental images they invoke. Spatiality claims an important role in my work.

The colors are produced by different combinations of threads, following a pre-determined system. The design approach is an implementation of a self-developed weaving technique, which combines various sized pieces and formations of diversely colored elements. The artworks are sprung to life from the combinations, where the systematically produced similar yet unique pieces unite into the artworks’ final form.

The surface of my works often creates a three-dimensional impression or the artworks are positioned multi-layered in space. The delicate artworks, created from see-through and web-like structures, find their form and place freely suspended in a space. Their colors and meaning are unfolding to the viewer in varying manifestations depending on the angles of light.

Bio

Artist Professor, Textile Artist Merja Keskinen was born 1959 in Turku, Finland, and now lives and works in Helsinki. She graduated with a Master of Arts degree from the University of Art and Design Helsinki (now Aalto University) in 1988. She has worked for several years in the textile industry in design and expert roles on textile collections for public spaces. She has recently focused on artistic work. She has held many solo exhibitions and participated with her textile artworks in joint exhibitions at home and abroad. She made a commissioned textile artworks for the Finnish Embassy in Paris 2012 and in the Finnish Centre for Pensions in Helsinki 2020. The Finnish Association of Textile Artists TEXO awarded her the Textile Artist of the Year 2019. She was awarded the State’s five-year Artist Professorship grant in 2022.

Contact

email: info@merjakeskinen.com

phone: +358 50 355 0967

www.merjakeskinen.com

www.finnishdesigners.fi/portfolio/merja.keskinen

www.taiderakentamisessa.fi/author/info-merjakeskinengmail-com/

www.instagram.com/keskinenmerja

C u r r i c u l u m v i t a e

M E R J A K E S K I N E N

Artist Professor, Textile Artist TEXO
Born 1959, Turku Finland

EDUCATION

Master of Arts, University of Art and Design Helsinki (Aalto University) 1988
Turku University 1980-82

SOLO AND JOINT EXHIBITIONS

Täky Gallery, Lappeenranta 2024
The Craft Museum of Finland, Jyväskylä 2023
Crypt, Helsinki Cathedral 2022
Gallery Pictor, Nummela 2021
Kallas SkärGård, Vårdö, Åland 2021
Gallery Pirkko-Liisa Topelius, Helsinki 2021
Forssa Museum 2020
Alma House, Helsinki 2019
Gallery Pirkko-Liisa Topelius, Helsinki 2018
Vellikello, Järvenpää 2017
Gallerygallery, Kyoto, Japan 2016
DesignDesk, Helsinki 2014-15
Mügsf Ana Galeri, Istanbul, Turkey 2014
EFG Toimistokalusteet Showroom, Helsinki 2013-14
Gallery Johan S., Helsinki 2013
Gallery Johan S., Helsinki 2011
Colmio gallery, Oulu 2008
Punavuori Design Studio Gallery, Helsinki 2007
The University of Art and Design, Helsinki 1988
Finlayson Exhibition Villa, Forssa 1986
Gallery Atski, Helsinki 1985

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

With the Naked Eye, Voipaala Art Centre, Valkeakoski 2022
Pistot, CraftCorner, Helsinki 2018
Art goes Kapakka TSIIGAA, Helsinki 2017
Ledtråd – Narrative Thread, Rydals Museum, Sweden 2017
Yhes – Together, Lokal, Helsinki 2016
Johtolanka, 10th Finnish Textile Triennial, Vapriikki Museum Centre, Tampere 2016-17
15th International Triennial of Tapestry, Lodz, Poland 2016
Miniature Textiles, Verkaranta, Tampere and the Craft Museum of Finland, Jyväskylä 2015-16
Ornamentti, Exhibition of Miniature Textiles, Gallery Lasipalatsi, Helsinki and the Craft Museum of Finland, Jyväskylä 2012
Ornamo office, Helsinki 2012-17
Preesens art-craft-design, Ornamo 100 years, The Craft Museum of Finland, Jyväskylä, The Northern Ostrobothnia Museum, Oulu and The North Karelian Museum, Joensuu 2011-12
ArtHelsinki, O-gallery, Helsinki 2011
Harkko Museum, Raisio 2010
Tekstiilitaide nyt! 8. Finnish Textile Triennial, Design Museum, Helsinki 2009
Housing fair, Hämeenlinna 2007
Metrin juhlaa, The Craft Museum of Finland, Jyväskylä and Textile Museum Tyyki, Forssa 2005-06
Findesignnow02, Fiskars 2002
Lönnström Art Museum, Rauma 1996-97
4th Finnish Textile Triennial, Texo 40 years Vanha kirkkopuisto, Helsinki 1996
2nd Finnish Textile Triennial, Näyttelytila Otso, Espoo 1989
Metaxis, Design Museum, Helsinki 1987

GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS

Arts Promotion Centre Finland / Taiteen edistämiskeskus, a 5-year state grant 2022-26
The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland / Svenska kulturfonden 2021, 2019, 2017, 2014
Greta and William Lehtinen Foundation 2021, 2013
Alfred Kordelin Foundation /Alfred Kordelinin säätiö 2020
Arts Promotion Centre Finland / Taiteen edistämiskeskus, a 3-year state grant 2016-18; 2019, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2010
Finnish Cultural Foundation / Suomen Kulttuurirahasto 2016, 2014, 1991
The Ornamo Foundation / Ornamo säätiö 2015

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Artist professor 2022-26
Textile Artist of the Year 2019 / The Finnish Association of Textile Artists TEXO

COMMISSIONED ARTWORKS

Finnish Centre for Pensions, textile artwork 2020
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Finland’s Embassy in Paris, textile artwork 2012
City of Helsinki / Taivallahden leikkipuisto, installation, work group Keskinen, Niinimäki, Seppä 1987

COLLECTIONS