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Biography

Marianne Huotari - Artists + Designers - Hostler Burrows

Photo by Roosa Karhu

Marianne Huotari crafts delicate ceramic wall rugs and glazed stoneware sculptures using a reimagined version of the traditional Finnish textile technique ryijy. Ryijy translates to thick cloth, and refers to a method of loom weaving tapestries, often depicting geometric shapes or florals, in colors traditionally sourced from plant dyes. Through a care intensive process of craftsmanship, Huotari sculpts hundreds of oblong ceramic beads and petals by hand, before sewing them onto a metal frame with wire. The beads layer and bubble at will, similar to the woven knots in ryijy. Her color palate mimics that of the original woolen fibers, creams and light greens, alongside pinks and muted blues, populate her tapestries and free-standing sculptures. The presence of nature and whimsy is a mainstay, whether referentially in titles such as Garden Plot, or representationally in the shape of small adorning flowers.

Huotari’s slow and hands on process allows her to pause the rapidity of daily life and find a meditative rhythm in the act of creating. Due to the laborious nature of each work, her stamina for a piece must carry on for weeks to months at a time. She approaches each item she creates with tenderness, whether it be a bead passing through her fingers, or a wall hanging requiring countless hours of stitching. Her final forms exude a warm consciousness and feeling of delight, much like the artist herself.

Marianne Huotari lives and works in Helsinki, where she is a member of the Arabia Art Department Society. Her work has been shown widely in Finland, as well as throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. Her recent work, Väre, was made in collaboration with the Finnish National Museum. Huotari serves as the Creative Director for Helsinki based design and rug company, Finarte. In 2022, Huotari was short listed for the Loewe Craft Prize and her work was exhibited at the Seoul Museum of Craft Arts.

CV

MARIANNE HUOTARI

Finnish, b. 1986

EDUCATION

2014   Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Master of Arts (MA), Finland

2009   Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Kuopio Academy of Design, Bachelor of Design (BA), Finland

2008   University of Huddersfield, Exchange Studies, United Kingdom

2005   Mikkelin Lyseon Lukio, Matriculation Examination, Finland

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2022   Hiljaiselo, Doinel, Tokyo, Japan

2021   Kukkatori, Doinel, Tokyo, Japan

2020   Kasvukausi, Konst & Form, Sipoo, Finland

2019   ORANGERIA – The Ceramic Garden of Infinite Summer, MUSTAKIVI, Matsuyama, Japan

2018   Kotiseutu – the Spirit of Roots, Spiral, Tokyo, Japan 

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2022   Loewe Foundation Craft Prize, Seoul Museum, South Korea

           Recent Works by Veera Kulju, Marianne Huotari, Hanne G., HB381, New York, NY

            Next of Europe, Homo Faber, Michelangelo Foundation, Venice, Italy

2021   Saviseremonia, MUJI, Helsinki, Finland

            Here, There and Everywhere, Hiljaiselo, Doinel, Tokyo, Japan

            Seilunmaisema, Glasshouse, Helsinki, Finland

            Kantava maa – Solid Ground, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland

            The International Ceramic Festival - MINO, Gifu, Japan

            Pinta, Purnu, Orivesi, Finland

            On the Edge – Äärellä, Rovaniemi Art Museum, Finland

            Growth, OHO Galleria, Helsinki, Finland

2020   Wall Art from Finland, Doinel, Tokyo, Japan

            Sato – savenkorjuun aika, MUJI, Helsinki, Finland

            HDW: Stadium Exhibition, Helsinki, Finland

            Matkalla, Kulttuuihalli, Helsinki, Finland

2019   Gifts from Finland, SPIRAL, Tokyo, Japan

            Joulun Harsomaa, Himmelblau, Tampere, Finland

            Vieno – hiljainen harmonia, Vellikello Gallery, Järvenpää

            Paratiisin salaisuus, Iittala & Arabia Design Center, Helsinki, Finland

2018   What the Hel from Finland, Vancouver, Canada

            Pistot, Craft Corner, Helsinki, Finland

2017   Signals, Habitare, Helsinki, Finland

            Cheongju International Craft Biennale, Cheongju, South Korea  

            Finland 100 – Now and Then, Beirut, Lebanon

            Käsityön äärellä – elävä käsityökulttuuri, Craft Corner, Helsinki, Finland     

2016   Yhes, Lokal, Helsinki, Finland

            Pinnalla touring exhibition, Jyväskylä, Kokkola, Helsinki, Punkaharju  

AWARDS AND GRANTS

2022   Loewe Foundation Craft Prize, finalist, Spain

2021   Officine Saffi Award 4, residence prize Italy

2015   Ryijypalvelu Oy Textile Tapestry Competition, first prize (professional), Finland

2013   Poukama Design Competition, redemption prize, Finland

PUBLIC COMMISSIONS

2022   ja niin mina kukoistan, Ministry of Education and Culture, The Finnish State Art Collection

2019   Suven Sulot, Lapuan Kankurit Store, Tokyo, Japan

           Yunnan, Yunnan Restaurant, Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore

2018   Colored Landscapes, Kyo-Ondokoro Inn, Kyoto, Japan

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