Aino Kajaniemi
Aino Kajaniemi, portrait in studeo
textile artist Aino Kajaniemi from Finland
My tapestries tell stories of the human being and life. With symbolism I want to make pictures with small, concrete things using moments and atmospheres in a person’s life, so that they form a metaphor of something greater. In my art I depict human growth and life's complexity and emotions poetically and individually way. I feel that even sad things are more easily approachable in textile because the material in itself holds optimistic and soft values.
I have had 40 solo exhibitions and have taken part in numerous exhibitions in 32 different countries. Selected latest exhibitions: I have made over 30 commission works and liturgical textiles for 7 churches.
I was selected as the textile artist of the year 2010 in Finland and got 5 years grant from the state of Finland in the year 2011 and 2016. 2019 Poikilo, Kouvola Art Museum with Aura Kajaniemi. Canada, Ontario, Oakville, The Canadian Tapestry and Texture Centre. 2018 Sweden, Borås Textile Museum, Everyday Matter. 2017-18 Scotland, Edinburgh, Dovecot Gallery, Women Warp and Weft. 2017 Sweden, Rydals Museum, JOHTOLANKA. Denmark, Øregaard Museum, Olo – Maerkbart Finnish - Danish exhibition. 2017 Kerava Art Museum Sinkka, Vihreä maa - Kukkiva kaupunki. South Korea, Cheongju International Craft Biennale. 2016-17 England, Linconshire, The National Centre for Craft and Design, NCCD, HERE AND NOW. MacBirmingham, The Holborne Museum, Path. 2016 Korea Suwon / Hwasung, Bojagi – The Living Tradition Exhibition. USA, Washington, The Textile Museum, Stories of Migration: Contemporary Artists Interpret, Diaspora. USA , New Jersey, Clinton, International tapestry exhibition, Hunterdon Art Museum. 2016-17 Kemi Art Museum,YKSEYS, together with Aura Kajaniemi. 2016 Helsinki, Gallery Katariina (solo)
2015 Museum of Central Finland(solo). USA, Michigan, Hancock, Finlandia University, The Finnish American Heritage Center. USA, Colorado, Durango, Studio & (solo). 2014 Joan Mondale gallery, Minneapolis/USA(solo). Portugal, Guimaraes,. CONTEXTILE 2014 – Contemporary Textile Art Biennial. 2013 Poland/ Lodz, Central Museum of Textiles, 14th International Triennial of Tapestry
Aino Kajaniemi, textile artist
Lahjaharjuntie 12, 40250 Jyväskylä, Finland
1. Aino Kajaniemi,
The Birth of Gray 2018, 148 x 154 cm tapestry
I like to draw, black lines on white, white lines on black and tones between them. I want to use shades more than colors. For many years I almost only used the black and white scale. This work is a tribute to the color gray. Gray color includes all colors; yellowish, reddish, bluish, greenish and so on. Gray can be clean or dirty, light or dark or warm or cold.
2. Aino Kajaniemi,
Time´s passage 2018, 155 x 145 cm tapestry
There were five daughters in my childhood home. Sibling relationships affect and persist throughout life. The role you have in your family creates your personality and relationships with other people. Time passes and we grow old but inside of us there still exists a child.
3. Aino Kajaniemi,
Childhood Memory 1, 2019, 116 x 127 cm tapestry
My tapestries tell stories of human beings and life. I create symbolistic images with small, concrete things using moments and atmospheres in a person’s life so that they form a metaphor of something greater. In my art, I depict poetically and individually human growth and life's complexity and emotions. In my childhood games, nature was very important. I wondered about small things in my environment; flowers, insects and butterflies.
4. Aino Kajaniemi,
Limitless 2018, 150 x 150 cm tapestry
Nowadays I think about the question of how a human being can find her/his place in the world: reverses, fears, needing support and dreams. Limitless depicts childhood freedom. There are a lot of rules and prohibitions in society but we have to try to feel free and happy.
5. Aino Kajaniemi,
Childhood Memory 2, 2019, 119 x 127 cm tapestry
My tapestries tell stories of human beings and life. I create symbolistic images with small, concrete things using moments and atmospheres in a person’s life so that they form a metaphor of something greater. In my art, I depict poetically and individually human growth and life's complexity and emotions. In my childhood games, nature was very important. I wondered about small things in my environment; flowers, insects and butterflies.
6. Aino Kajaniemi,
Millefleur 2016, 159 x 171 cm
Millefleur” tapestry is an homage to medieval tapestries and their millefleur backgrounds.
7. Aino Kajaniemi,
Childhood Memory 3, 2019, 116 x 126 cm tapestry
My tapestries tell stories of human beings and life. I create symbolistic images with small, concrete things using moments and atmospheres in a person’s life so that they form a metaphor of something greater. In my art, I depict poetically and individually human growth and life's complexity and emotions. In my childhood games, nature was very important. I wondered about small things in my environment; flowers, insects and butterflies.
8. Aino Kajaniemi,
Prediction 2018, 156 x 150 cm tapestry
“Prediction” 2018 deals with the change of language and development. The English language affects Finnish language, we loan words. I think in that there is sadness.
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