Finnish textile artist Raija Jokinen uses flax and hand and machine embroidery to create fascinating pieces based on the human body.

Firstly where did you grow up and where do you live now? 

I grew up in the countryside in small villages in Finland. My parents divorced when I was four years old which was not that common in 60’s. My sister and I lived with our mother who didn’t have that high education and tried to develop her career by applying new and better positions. Therefore we moved frequently which was a bit challenging for us children. I feel my origin is vague and I don’t have any specific place I could say I am originated from. Sometimes it’s a challenge as people often want to know where you are from, like you asked it. 

At the moment I am staying and working in Sipoo which is about 30km from Helsinki.

What is your background in textiles?

As a child I was very interested in drawing and all kinds of making things. My mother bought a sewing machine so that she could make clothes for us and she let me learn sewing too when I was about 5. I also liked animals and was thinking of becoming a vet but then at the age of 15 I learned that there’s also a profession of textile designer and textile artist and that was it. I never thought of anything else. I wanted to study at the University of Arts and Design  (now called Aalto University) but only about 5% was selected to textile department and it took three years for me to get in. During those years I studied in a handicraft school which was good for learning different textile techniques. At the university I concentrated on weaving and knitting. I graduated 1990 with the best rating and got a grant too.

How do you describe your work?

This is a tough question as I use my own technique which I haven’t seen anyone else use so far. Everyone knows somehow weaving, stitching and other common textile techniques but saying I am kind of drawing with flax doesn’t necessarily ring any bells. I draw and paint but my colour is flax fiber. It’s a versatile material and can be used in different ways, including to being similar to molding clay. Then I add machine stitching which gives additional drawing and vague shades of colors. I finish by starching the work. In practice I make a piece 3-4 times and each state adds a new quality to it.

A lot of your work is around the human body, what is it about this that you find fascinating?

First of all the body is the closest surrounding for us, we all know it quite well and it is inseparable from us. Secondly, I am fascinated about the visuality of the details in our body as they are so similar to the forms in nature. To me that means forms that are very effective and functional. An organic form is also meditative and soothing. 

What techniques do you use?

I am kind of molding fibers and drawing with them but stitching and embroidering both hand and machine too.

How do you create a piece?

I always do a sketch and an outline of the form, it’s like a canvas to me. But the details are blank until I start to work with them and that’s fascinating.

I know this is a hard question but how long does a bigger piece take? 

You are right, it’s hard to say. It depends the size and details, thickness, structures and many other things. I could say weeks. I normally work with several pieces. First I dye and/or bleach the fibers. Then I brush the fibers and separate the longer fibers from the short. Then I make sketches and an outline drawing in 1:1 size. After that I start to form details and the entity. Sometimes  I have several parts or layers and work with them a side. After the fiber part is ready I stitch it. If I have layers etc I often assemble them at this point, but not always. After the stitching I starch the piece and that is practically reforming the piece.

What are you most proud of in your art career so far?

I’ve enjoyed hearing how viewers have experienced my works. Sometimes we have talked a lot of life and experiences, even cried, which is not of course my aim to make people cry but it’s maybe a sign of deep emotions. Touching is maybe the most important and meaningful.

Do you have any advice for aspiring textile artists?

 I am not sure if I have any good advice…. sometimes it might be better to talk about mistakes. Maybe we are happier if we are openminded and do what we are most interested in. If you are interested in materials and making things, textiles definitely provide a wide range and opportunities for a creative minds.

www.raijajokinen.fi 

https://www.instagram.com/raijajokinen/