hi, IT’s me, matilda

Matilda Palmu (MA) is a Helsinki based artist and designer who finds inspiration for her work from her life and conversations with others, from the nature and her miraculous dreams. The guiding mantra for her art is more is not enough and it describes her thirst for colours and abundant aesthetics. The characteristic elements for her creative practice are use of bold colors and surface patterns, exploring magical rituals and alternative realities as well as working simultaneously with different materials and techniques. Play and joy are the key elements in her creative practice and she wishes to brighten up people’s lives with her art.

Matilda has a background in craft, applied arts and design and she graduated as Master of Arts in 2020 focusing on contemporary art and textile design. She also works as a teacher focusing on color and material studies as well as creativity.

“I love working with different materials and techniques and colors are my passion. For example, when I see a certain shade of blue or pink, I start to drool. Many times my whole creative process begins by choosing the colors I want to use whether I’m painting or tufting.

It’s very important to me, that my art has some kind of story or a hidden meaning. I often process heavy issues through my art but the outcomes are quite the opposite of what one might expect; cute and colorful.

The past few years I’ve been focusing on textile art and painting but now I’m thirsty for new materials and techniques and conquering new territories within the realms of contemporary art. So, hit me up for new collaborations or commission works and let’s create something wonderful!”

CONTACT

I am open for many kinds of collaborations and commission works. If you’re interested to collaborate, hire me or buy my art don’t hesitate to contact me :) You can reach me from matilda.palmu[at]gmail.com and you can also find me at Instagram

curriculum vitae

EDUCATION

2020 Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design MA Programme, Master of Arts

2015 Lahti University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Design and Fine Arts, Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Architecture and Furniture Design programme 

2014 University of Arts Utrecht, Product design department, Exchange semester

2008 Mynämäki Craft and Design College, Degree of Metal Artisan

2005 Kastu’s Upper Secondary School, The Finnish Matriculation Examination

EXHIBITIONS

SOLO

2024: Wonderland, Galleria 2, Pirkkala

2023/24, Daydreaming, Polhem Showroom, Helsinki

2023 From a Distant Galaxy, Galleria Loisti, Helsinki

2022 Forever Summer, Kulmapala Studio, Helsinki

2022 Creatures and other wonders, Asbestos Art Space, Helsinki

2022 They Come in peace, Uusi Kipinä Gallery, Lahti

2021 Fantastical creatures in the sexotic garden, HAA Gallery, Helsinki

2020 Pussyeyes and nippleflowers, Lokal + Gallery, Helsinki

GROUP

COMING 2024: Purkutaide - Ihmemaa X, Kerava

2024 Runokuvaa 6, Levo teatteri, Sörkan Ruusu, Helsinki

2022/23 Identity, Lapinlahden Lähde, Helsinki

2022 Signals, Habitare Fair, Helsinki

2022 TASTE - Shaken and stirred: cocktails and bespoke design, Hogo Huone, Helsinki

2022 Paljain Silmin - With the Naked Eye, Voipaala Art Center, Sääksmäki

2022 U-JOINTS - Knots & Knits, Fiskars Village Art & Design Biennale, Fiskars

2022 Postitaide – MAIL ART, B-Gallery, Turku

2019 Textiles Tomorrow Summit, Aalto University, Väre campus, Otaniemi

2019 Protoshop 2019, Habitare Fair, Helsinki

2019 Chart Art Fair Copenhagen with UU Market, Denmark

2018(-19) Experimental Textile Design, Aalto University, Väre campus, Otaniemi

2018 Emoveo, Design Museum, Helsinki

2017 Welded & Woven, Artek 2nd Cycle, Helsinki

2017 EcoDesign, Habitare Furniture Fair, Helsinki

2017 Matter, Atski Gallery, Helsinki

2017 Barewood, Milan Design Week 2017, Italy

2016 Nuutajärvi Local, Aalto University, Arabia campus, Helsinki

2016 Protoshop 2016, Habitare furniture fair, Helsinki

2015 Unveiled, Habitare furniture fair, Helsinki

2015 Unveiled, DMY Design Festival Berlin, Germany

2015 MI15, Helsinki

2013 Wire chair, Karisma, Lahti

2012 Woodment, Propuu, Lahti

arts RESIDENCIES

COMING 2024: Between Happiness and Despair -project, Taiteen talo/Kunsthal NORD

2021 AARK Residency at Korpo, Finland

GRANTS

2023 Alfred Kordelin Foundation, Working Grant

2023 Taike, Project Grant

2022 Taike, Public Display Grant

2022 Taike, COVID-19 Grant

2021 Taike, COVID-19 Grant

2021 Grafia ry Grant

2020 Aalto University of Arts, Scholarship

2019 Aalto University of Arts, DoD Grant

2018 Aalto University of Arts, DoD Grant (for a working group)

2015 Finnish Cultural Foundation, Art and Science Grant (for a working group)

2015 Furniture Foundation Grant (for a working group)

RECENT WORK / PROJECTS / ETC

Now: Freelance designer & artist. Example of clientele: Lapuan Kankurit, Aalto University, Farkku-Sampo and private persons (since 2015)

Now: Teacher at HEO Adult Education School, Architecture and design & Interior design - programmes (since 2017)

2023 Antaa kaikkien kukkien kukkia -print workshop at Tyttöjen Talo Helsinki, planning and hosting with Softislab

2023 Panelist at Artist talk at Lapinlahden Lähde, Identity -exhibition

2022 Midsummer printing studio -workshop, hosting with Softislab at Sideways festival

2021 See with hands – taste with nose – eat with eyes -textile workshop, planning and hosting with Softislab

2021 Board member of TEXO ry (textile artist association)

2018 Aalto University Tekstiili18 -exhibition, producer and also being part of the exhibition visual and spatial team

MEMBERSHIPS

2022 Ornamo ry, full member

2022 Tekstiilitaiteilijat TEXO ry, full member