A collective of 14 artists, crafters, activists, and artist-researchers uses wool fabric and naturally hand-dyed wool yarn. The exhibition delves into the aesthetics of traditional materials like botanically dyed yarn. Additionally, it reshapes the visual language of blanket embroidery, enabling personal and political themes to find expression through patterns and designs.

The collective's title in Finnish, Kirjotut kannat, linguistically refers to embroidery as arguments and statements.

This initiative is deeply rooted in activist approaches within contemporary art, encompassing both craftivism and artivism. The Finnish word kannat also embodies cultural origins and ancestral connections.

Gathering and embroideries by the collective serve as a form of activism. Members of the collective use embroidery to engage in societal dialogues. Topics encompass issues like queer rights, biodiversity loss, land use conflicts, and the very essence of craftsmanship itself.

“Embroidery is embraced as a dialogue-driven practice, providing a platform for sharing and debating social and political issues rooted in the diverse experiences of collective members,” tells Maria Huhmarniemi, the initiator of the collective and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Art and Design.

While each of the 14 participants met in Rovaniemi, they hail from diverse cultural backgrounds, encompassing Finland, Russia, Eastern and Southern Europe, and Latin America, thus their stances are various.

Most of the collective members are educated at the University of Lapland. Many are alums and current staff members; some are alums, and some are Master's students or doctoral candidates.

Artists of the exhibition are Lola Cervantes, Maria Huhmarniemi, Elina Härkönen, Tenka Issakainen, Tanya Kravtsov, Alina Korotovskaia, Minna Kovero, Elina Luiro, Miia Mäkinen, Niina Oinas, Petra Raudaskoski, Misia Siennicka, Ezgi Tanriverdi and Sannu Vaarala.

Revitalising craftsmanship

Traditionally, black wool fabric and yarn were employed in blanket embroidery, with various stitches defining and filling intricate patterns.

Tanya Kravtsov, a doctoral candidate at the University of Lapland, tells that the yarn's hues were derived from plant and mushroom dyes.

“Our collective is striving to breathe a new life into these beautiful traditions in a contemporary context,” describes Kravtsov.

The WoolInnovation project, co-funded by the European Union at the University of Lapland, collaborates with a collective.

The WoolInnovation aims to facilitate craft revitalisation for the current needs of crafters, the tourism sector and broader society. The project team will document all aspects of the revitalisation process and produce learning materials for all interested in craft revitalisation.

Project manager of the WoolInnovation project, Minna Kovero, is also a doctoral candidate studying revitalisation of craft heritage. Kovero states that craft heritage is valuable for contemporary society and for the future.

“At the same time, it can bridge us with our cultural roots and foster a sense of togetherness among different cultures,” says Kovero.

The Finnish Craft Museum has received funding for the exhibition from the Finnish Heritage Agency. The collective has been supported by the Kansan sivistysrahasto, the University of Lapland and the WoolInnovation project.

Further information

Maria Huhmarniemi, maria.huhmarniemi(at)ulapland.fi

t. 0407639948

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