Hanna-Kaisa Korolainen

92 x 132 cm
hand tufted rug
mohair, silk, wool

Based on Frederic Leighton’s painting Flaming June (1895), modelled by dorothy Dene or Mary Lloyd.

In art history, people—especially women—have been depicted without body hair, as hair has been associated not only with indecency but also with heightened sexuality, witchcraft, and uncleanliness. Gustave Courbet's painting L’Origine du Monde (The Origin of the World, 1866), which depicted a woman’s vagina with pubic hair, caused a scandal at the time. Even in our time, a Teflon-like sheen, porcelain-like smoothness, hair removal, and the elimination of pores from images dominate the mainstream.

Through these hairy images objects of beauty become abjects.

92 x 128 cm
hand tufted rug
mohair, silk, wool

Based on E. Burne-Jones’s sketch for his Briar Rose series (1871-1890), model unknown.

90 × 82 cm
hand tufted rug
mohair, silk, wool

Based on D.G. Rossetti’s painting Proserpine from 1874. Model Jane Morris (Burden).

90 × 82 cm
hand tufted rug
mohair, silk, wool

Based in J.E. Millais’ The Bridesmaid from 1851.

90 × 82 cm
hand tufted rug
mohair, silk, wool

Based on D.G.Rossetti’s painting Veronica Veronese (1872), modelled by Alexa Wilding.

Rendering of the space by JKKM architects.

The title of the piece Armas Aika ( Dearest Season) comes from the beloved Suvivirsi song, sung at Finnish school spring parties. Instead of merely summer, the work’s ‘dearest season’ takes thoughts to the garden during the different seasons – in the work, the flying white petals of the apple tree flowers are associated with the fleeting snowfall, which covers the earth at the dawn of winter and protects it for the next growing season. The flowers of the work bloom and the leaves turn green even in the middle of the darkest and coldest winter, giving the promise of spring that will always come again.

The plants selected for the piece bloom from early spring to late autumn. Hyssop, wild strawberry, redcap, peony, ball thistle, musk mallow, bitter gourd, eagle’s wing fern, dandelion, blue anemone, daisy and an apple tree that curves over everything have been chosen. The number of plants ’12’ reflects the cycle of the year and rebirth, the new growing season that always inevitably arrives. The main themes of the work are comfort and hope.

The color scheme is like a pink glowing spring night, at the same time overflowing with brightness and careful twilight. The brightly colored flowers stand out against the soft reddish background, and the background shows yellow-gold fades, like the touches of the sun’s rays.

Rendering of the space by JKKM architects.

For the the basis of my proposition I made smaller version of it (155 x 150 cm), shown here with artworks by Milla Vaahtera and Saija Halko as part of HYMNI exhibition in Lokal gallery, Helsinki, 2024.

Hand tufted rug (2023)

155 x 150 cm

Mohair, wool, silk

Ode to Love –exhibition was based on my original idea, and organized at Lokal Gallery in 2022, where my works were shown next to Ville Aakula, Bo Haglund, Saija Halko, Karoliina Hellberg and Päivi Keski-Pomppu.

 Love is a universal ocean from which art flows. Love is attachment to other people and the world. In art, it also means uniting with the long history of art in all different eras; to national romanticism, Japonism, the Renaissance – their thoughts, struggles and hopes. Love however surrounds us in its different guises in every single moment, and art is one opportunity to experience its breathing through the experience of silence and beauty.

The six artists of the exhibition have contemplated and felt love into different forms and materials. The exhibition expresses affection and admiration towards everyday life, other beings, all of Creation and humanity.

Title came from the the song “Sinua sinua rakastan” composed by Kaj Chydenius and words by Aulikki Oksanen.

Photo: Lokal

280 x 87 + 87cm (2 pieces)

hand tufted rya, mohair, silk, wool, cashmere

40 x 32 cm

hand tufted rya, mohair, wool

49 x 32 cm

hand tufted rya, mohair, wool

44 x 32 cm

hand tufted rya, mohair, wool

42 x 34 cm

hand tufted rya, mohair, wool

19 x dia 15 cm

hand blown glass

Glassblower: Slate Grove assisted by Paulina Varis

32 x dia 15cm

hand build ceramics, Finnish red clay, engobe, glazing

275 x 110 cm

hand woven jacquard weaving, Japanese silk, cotton, dry pastel

31 x dia 19 cm

hand build ceramics, Finnish red clay, colour, glazing

37 x dia 19 cm

hand build ceramics, stoneware, engobe, glazing

35 x dia 17 cm

hand build ceramics, stoneware, engobe, glazing

26 x dia 15 cm

hand build ceramics, stoneware, colour, glazing

HYMNI exhibition with Matias Karsikas and Milla Vaahtera at Lokal gallery 2024

The spring anthem, composed by three contemporary artists, is sung in their own distinct voices. The hymn is sung to the soon-to-bud spring blossoms, to the images and forms sprouting from within us. It is sung to ceramics, glass, textiles, the creation and birthing of works, Finnish design and our far-reaching tradition of hand-crafting. The anthem is first sung alternately as a turn song between the three, and finally it is sung in unison.

Hand-tufted rugs, ceramics and glass are presented by Hanna-Kaisa Korolainen. Thematically, the works touch upon loss and the cycle of life. The plant motifs are inspired by the paintings of the Japanese Edo period master Ogata Korini (1658-1716). The soft melancholy of Korolainen’s works grows into comfort and hope, encouraging one to dream; the next growing season and spring always arrives, a new morning dawns.

Ceramics on the table by Saija Halko.

Photo: Lokal

280 x 180 cm hand tufted rug mohair, wool, silk

150 × 140 cm (2023) hand tufted rug mohair, silk and wool private collection

Photo: Lokal

Hand tufted rug

50 x 40 cm

Mohair, wool, silk

Hand tufted rug

56 x 40 cm

Mohair, wool, silk

Hand tufted rug

40 x 40 cm

Mohair, wool, silk

Hand tufted rug

42 x 41 cm

Mohair, wool, silk

Hand tufted rug

40 x 40 cm

Mohair, wool, silk

Hand tufted rug

43 x 30 cm

Mohair, wool, silk

Hand tufted rug

50 x 34 cm

Mohair, wool, silk

Hand tufted rug

49 x 67 cm

Mohair, wool, silk

Hand tufted rug

48 x 18 cm

Mohair, wool, silk

Hand tufted rug

35 x 40 cm

Mohair, wool, silk

190 x 85 cm hand tufted rug mohair, wool, silk

Private collection

185 x 220 cm hand tufted rug mohair, silk, wool

Based on Akseli Gallen-Kallela’s painting “Ad Astra” from 1894-1896 that he himself repeated 1907 after the original had been sold.

200 × 140 × approx. 3 cm mohair, wool

hand-tufted rug

200 × 140 × approx. 4 cm mohair, wool

hand-tufted rug

180 × 180 × approx. 4 cm mohair

hand-tufted rug

60 × 80 × approx. 15 cm mohair, japanese silk hand-tufted rug cushion Virgil Abloh Foundation’s art collection

Based on Andy Warhol’s Flower series.

60 × 80 × approx. 15 cm mohair, japanese silk hand-tufted rug cushion Virgil Abloh Foundation’s art collection

Based on Andy Warhol’s Flowers series.

30 × 70 × approx. 15 cm hand-tufted rug cushion mohair Virgil Abloh Foundation’s art collection

50 × 50 × approx. 3 cm hand-tufted rug cushion mohair Virgil Abloh Foundation’s art collection

270 × 140 × approx. 4 cm (pictured horizontally) mohair

hand-tufted rug

50 × 50 × approx. 3 cm mohair

hand-tufted rug cushion

140 × 110 × approx. 4 cm (pictured horizontally) mohair

hand-tufted rug

My solo exhibition “The House of Play and Rain” was organized in Lokal gallery 2017.

This exhibition was inspired by artists from Raoul Dufy to Niki de Saint Phalle. Rugs, woven jacquards and printed fabrics create a home-like setting, where influences from the imaginary Paris of 1920’s mixed up with the artist’s childhood scenery, Finland in 1970’s and its bold colours and patterns. The mystery behind the artistic process is revealed by presenting the sketches, materials and tools behind the artworks.

Photo: Lokal/ Katja Hagelstam.

Hand-tufted rug 110cm x 140cm. Photo: Ulla Kokki.

Hand-tufted 110cm x 140cm. Photo: Ulla Kokki

Ansa rug in the background and various textile design materials on the table.

Hand-tufted rugs and pillow cases, 2016-2017. Photo: Ulla Kokki.

Hand-tufted 50cm x 50cm. Photo: Ulla Kokki.

Hand-tufted 50cm x 50cm. Photo: Ulla Kokki

Caribbien jacquard 155cm x 545cm, woven at Lapuan Kankurit mill. Photo: Ulla Kokki.

General view in the exhibition The House of Play and Rain, 2017. Photo: Katja Hagelstam.

Arte RML lounge chair by Nikari decorated with Buckthorn jacquard and November jacquard on the chair. Photo: Katja Hagelstam, 2017.

Woven jacquards with mohair, silk and wool. Photo: Ulla Kokki

Hand-woven cotton and mohair jacquard 110cm x 220cm. Photo: Ulla Kokki. Weaving: Eeva Kulju.

Broken Flowers hand-tufted mohair rug, 140cm x 200cm.

Photo by Author.

Photo: Sofia Okkonen (2018)

Broken Dahlia hand-tufted mohair rug, diameter 170cm (2018). Café Skandi chairs by Kari Virtanen (2015), Nikari. Photo by Author.

Photo: Sofia Okkonen (2018)

Broken Dahlia hand-tufted mohair rug, diameter 120cm x 192cm (2017-2018). Photo by Author.

Photo: Sofia Okkonen (2018)

Broken Dahlia hand-tufted mohair rug sofa with cushions, detail (2018). Photo by Author.

Broken Dahlia hand-tufted mohair rug sofa with cushions, detail (2018). These rugs are like soft paintings, they can be laid down as carpet, wall art or on a piece of furniture. Photo by Author.

Bleeding Vase (2018)

34 × 14 × 14 cm

stoneware, glaze gas fired, hand-built

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bowls various sizes

stoneware, wood fired, hand-built

27 × 13 × 13 cm

stoneware, glaze gas fired, hand-built

35 × 15 × 14 cm

stoneware hand-built

Du Feu et du Champagne (2018)

19 × 13 × 15 cm

wood-fired stoneware, glaze, hand-built

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various sizes of bowls

wood-fired stoneware, glaze, hand-built

Photo: Sofia Okkonen (2018)

silk

hand-woven jacquard

‘fransu’ Finnish hand-knotting technique, mixed media

104 × 142 cm (without fringes)

silk

hand-woven jacquard

‘fransu’ Finnish hand-knotting technique, mixed media

silk

hand-woven jacquard

‘fransu’ Finnish hand-knotting technique, mixed media

107 × 116 cm (without fringes)

silk

hand-woven jacquard

‘fransu’ Finnish hand-knotting technique, mixed media

110 × 123 cm (without fringes)

silk

hand-woven jacquard

‘fransu’ Finnish hand-knotting technique, mixed media

107 × 162 cm (without fringes)

silk

hand-woven jacquard

‘fransu’ Finnish hand-knotting technique, mixed media

hand-printed and -painted cotton velvet fabric

permanent artwork at Schloss Hollenegg for Design

Printed in collaboration with Stephanie Klaura/ FabricFabrik

Photo: LippZahnschirm

From exhibition catalogue: “Hanna Kaisa Korolainen is a designer and visual artist based in Helsinki, Finland. Her diverse practice includes textiles, glass and ceramics. Hollenegg Fantasy is a silk-screened and hand-painted fabric, made in Vienna, in collaboration with Stephanie Klaura from FabricFabrik. Korolainen was inspired by a Parinirvana (Death of the Buddha) painting, dating back to the 14th century Japan, in one of the rooms of Schloss Hollenegg. Paintings depicting the death of the Buddha convey essential tenets of Buddhism — passing from earthly life to that of an enlightened being, being released from the bonds of existence — and show how those witnessing the Buddha’s passing reveal their imperfect level of enlightenment in the extent of their grief, weeping, or showing a solemn serenity. During her residency at Schloss Hollenegg, Korolainen noticed the animals and plants populating the furniture and tapestries of the castle, many of which are narratively stylised, imagined and curious. She wanted to unite the flora and fauna in a single setting, collecting the animals and plants onto a fabric.”

Photo: LippZahnschirm

During my residency at Schloss Hollenegg during summer 2020 I was sleepind under one of. my biggest sources of inspiration “Parinirvana (Death of the Buddha)”painting, dating back to the 14th century Japan.

Photo: Hanna-Kaisa Korolainen

Sketch of ancient Chinese hand-painted silk wallpaper’s detail at Schloss Hollenegg.

Sketch of ancient Chinese hand-painted silk wallpaper’s detail at Schloss Hollenegg.

Inspired by poster of the film of same title (1931) and dragon objects at Schloww Hollenegg..

Sketch of ancient Chinese hand-painted silk wallpaper’s detail at Schloss Hollenegg.

Lion figure from “Parinirvana (Death of the Buddha)”painting, dating back to the 14th century Japan.

Crane figure from “Parinirvana (Death of the Buddha)”painting, dating back to the 14th century Japan.

Elephant figure from “Parinirvana (Death of the Buddha)”painting, dating back to the 14th century Japan.

Playing with large sized sketches.

30 × 22 × 22 cm

stoneware, glaze, lustre hand-built

21 × 16 × 16 cm

stoneware, glaze, lustre hand-built

30 × 19 × 18 cm

stoneware, glaze, lustre hand-built

33.5 × 18 × 18 cm

stoneware, glaze, lustre hand-built

20 × 15 × 15 cm

gas fired stoneware, glaze hand-built

34 × 20 × 20 cm

stoneware, glaze, lustre hand-built

26 × 15 × 15 cm

stoneware, glaze, under-glaze, lustre hand-built

24 × 26 × 26 cm

stoneware, glaze, under-glaze, lustre hand-built

19 × 13 × 15 cm

wood-fired stoneware, glaze, hand-built

cream, turquoise, clear glass

23.5 × 16 × 16 cm

free-blown glass

white, violet, green, clear glass

24.5 × 15 × 15 cm

free-blown glass

rose, amber, black

25 × 16 × 16 cm

free-blown glass

neon yellow, black, close-to- clear neodymium

24 × 17 × 17 cm

free-blown glass

cream, black, red

24 × 17 × 17 cm

free-blown glass

rose, amber, black, brown

24 × 17 × 17 cm

free-blown glass

22 × 12 × 11 cm

free-blown glass

source(s) of inspiration: Hvitträsk, Flame rug designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Seagull rug designed by Jarl Eklund, continuation from my Octopus glass series

possible ‘a posteriori’ source(s) of inspiration: Art Nouveau

20 × 17 × 15 cm

free-blown glass

source(s) of inspiration: Hvitträsk, Flame rug designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Seagull rug designed by Jarl Eklund, continuation from my Octopus glass series

possible ‘a posteriori’ source(s) of inspiration: Art Nouveau

22,5 × 16 × 15 cm

free-blown glass

source(s) of inspiration: Hvitträsk, Flame rug designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Seagull rug designed by Jarl Eklund, continuation from my Octopus glass series

possible ‘a posteriori’ source(s) of inspiration: Art Nouveau

21 × 16 × 16 cm

free-blown glass

source(s) of inspiration: Hvitträsk, Flame rug designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Seagull rug designed by Jarl Eklund, continuation from my Octopus glass series

possible ‘a posteriori’ source(s) of inspiration: Art Nouveau