My work has the technical mastery on forged metal sculptures. The Coronation series captures similar themes with the Great Ladies from Sanna: giving the Gloria to powerful women and our ancient mothers. Some of the characters in her and my series were the same from the beginning and we have inspired each other based on stories she shared via our work.
Without any hesitation or humbleness I coronate the mighty ladies from the Finnish past. In my photographs, I use models with versatile body types - not necessarily only the traditional beauty models but all kind of women who in the middle of Finnish forests and lakes channel the magical power of ancient queens to the viewer. In in my photos, the Finnish nature is an important element. The amazing sceneries from the wilderness are the best backgrounds for the crowned women.
In my Voimanaiset ('Power women’) initiative in Finland I am creating a network of women who are talented, powerful, or special in their own professions: artists, musicians, entrepreneurs etc. The symbol of Voimanaiset is the Neidonvaaja (Maiden’s Axe) jewellery.
I’ve also realized me and Sanna have similar relationships with our techniques. She uses clay that makes her feel grounded to our Earth and history as one of the oldest materials for both functional and religious objects made by a human, and I talk about the magical process of forging the iron. In Finnish mythology, the smiths have crucial roles. They create not only the strongest weapons but also mythical artefacts that bring wealth or luck to the ones who possess them.
Personal information
Kirsi Annika Vahtera
Master Blacksmith, BA in Creative Arts
Born 10.10.1980 in Finland
​
Education
2021 Bachelor Degree in Creative Arts, Rastor Institute
2017 Specialist qualification in product design, Hyria, Lahti
2017 Team Master, Team Academy, Jyväskylä
2013 Master's degree in blacksmithing, Axxell, Karjaa
2011 Pedagogical specialisation studies of a basic teacher of art, Institute of Design, Lahti
2010 Blacksmithing journeyman qualification, Axxell, Karjaa
2009 Degree in Design, Institute of Design, Lahti
2004 Degree in Metal Artisan, Ikata, Ikaalinen
2000 Matriculation examination, Itäkeskus Upper Secondary School for Adults, Helsinki
2001 Herttoniemi Art and Media Workshop, Helsinki
2001 Media Spa, video course, Helsinki
1996-2000 Diploma in fine arts, Helsingin Yhteislyseo (upper secondary school), Helsinki
1996 Herttoniemi coeducational school, Latin class, Helsinki
​
Study tours and seminars
2011 Seppede päv, Kaaruka, Estonia
2006 Escola Massana, Barcelona, student exchange
2003 Baltic forging weeks, Mynämäki, Finland
​
​
Exhibitions
2022 Mythological Finland, group exhibition, participation as the project's responsible implementer, organiser of the exhibition, manufacturer of artefacts and photographer, Shopping Centre Veturi, Kouvola
2022 People of Myths, Pro Puu Gallery, Lahti
2022 Artsmiths' Summer Exhibition, group exhibition, Strömfors Ironworks Galleries, Ruotsinpyhtää
2022 Coronation and Mythological Figures, Orange Gallery, Tuska Open Air
2022 Mythological Finland, group exhibition, participation as the project's responsible implementer, exhibition organizer, artefact maker and photographer, Stockfors village, Pyhtää
2022 Roots, Stockfors village, Pyhtää
2022 Pinta, Veturi Shopping Centre, Kouvola
2022 The People of Myths, Shopping Centre Veturi, Kouvola
2022 Myrskytär, City library of Hanko
2022 The People of Myths, Gallery Pato, Kouvola
2021 Biomechanical by Routa Design, Artesan fair of Finland
2021 Coronation, Hotelli Rantapuisto, Helsinki
2021 Biomechanical by Routa Design, Finlayson, Tampere
2021 Summer exhibition of Finnish Artsmiths, Strömforsin Ruukki, Loviisa
2019 Karhulan Hovi Art Summer, group exhibition
2018 Art collective Louhikko group exhibition, organization and participation, Lahti Market 2017 Kajastus, group exhibition with the Louhikko collective, Iitti
2017 Word games in Metal, group exhibition of blacksmiths, Nuutajärvi
2017 On the edge, group exhibition, Lehtioja service center, Lahti
2016 Maidens, solo exhibition, restaurant Hiidenkivi, Lahti
2015 My Kalevala, group exhibition, Vanha Makasiini, Fiskars Ruukki
2015 Biomechanical 2014, group exhibition, organization and participation, Spa Ikaalinen
2015 Vellamo and Half-brothers, solo exhibition, restaurant Hiidenkivi, Lahti
2014 Biomechanical 2014, group exhibition, organization and participation, gallery Biomechanical, shopping center Syke. Bay
2014 Biomechanical 2014, group exhibition, organization and participation, gallery Kapriisi, Tampere
2014 Finnish Artsmiths summer exhibition, Strömfors ruukki, Ruotsinpyhtää
2014 Share the Secret, Women's line charity exhibition, Gallery Share the Secret, Helsinki 2014 Share the Secret, Women's line charity exhibition, Kaisaniemi metro station, Helsinki 2013 Kalevala!, solo exhibition, Restaurant Hiidenkivi, Lahti
2012 Iron Age, group exhibition, ProPuu gallery, Lahti
2011 Smiths and Kalevala, group exhibition, Juminkeko, Kuhmo
2011 Genesis, group exhibition, restaurant Hiidenkivi, Lahti
2011 Niin makaa kuin petaa, group exhibition Design Institute, Lahti
2007 Habitare, Department of Design, participation of the design and manufacturing of the department
2004 Tulesta temmattu, solo exhibition, Art House of Kihnio, Kihniö
Work Experience
Tuusulan Takojaiset, responsible implementer, Tuusula Workers' Home Museum, 2019
Chair of the exhibition working group, Tuusula Workers' Home Museum 2019
Master blacksmith, designer, Routa Design Oy, 2019
Louhikko Traditional Culture Event 2018, responsible implementer, coordinator, teacher Tuusula forgings, coordinator, 2018
Culture Dive project, working group member, coordinator, teacher, head of the fair building 2017
Master Blacksmith, Routa Design 2017
Blacksmithing, Seppäjussi workshop, Meetup 2012
Media house 2015 project, project work, Institute of Design, Lahti 2007
Blacksmithing, Viikin Paja 2007
Planning and manufacturing of metalworks and consulting in the field of visual metal construction for Malminkartano Construction and Cleaning Service Ltd 2003-2004 Blacksmithing, Taidetakomo Tulikiila, Joensuu 2003
other
References
2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 Main artist Tuska Open Air music festival in Helsinki. A collection of hundreds of works
2017 Slush - the World’s Leading Start-up Event meeting area collection (a series of 8 collections)
2019 Exhibition manager, Tuusula workers' home museum
Awards and scholarships
2021 Publishing grant for the exhibition, Lahti handicraft foundation
Working grant, Taike
2020 Blacksmith of the year award, Finland
2018 Päijät Häme Cultural Fund grant for the Louhiko traditional culture event by the Art Collective
2017 Cultural diving, Päijät-Häme cultural fund's top project grant, together with the working group
2015 Honorable mention in the Finnish Mint's Akseli Gallen-Kallela commemorative coin design competition at work Tuoni
2007 First place in the Kalevala Spirit design competition at work Julius
2006 Honorable mention in the Plootu Fennica design competition with work Flame
2005 Shared first place in the Three Bags product design competition with the work Solje together with Jasser Silvennoinen
2005 Shared second place in the Hundred Forms design competition in the series SIGN, with work Lumo
2004 Cultural scholarship of the Horned Knights of Hämeenkyrö
Other
Founder of the Mythological Finland description project, member of the working group Participating in Naisten Linja's Share the secret campaign with donation work Maria. Cooperation with the organization regarding the Neidonvaaja jewelry donation campaign. Realizing the visual appearance of the Tuska open air metal festival with forging works in the black dining restaurant, VIP areas and the panel discussion stage.
Th human right activist Mai Kivelä's representative jewelry at the Independence Day reception of the Finnish president.
Neidonvaaja's Voimanaiset campaign was chosen as an act of equality by Women's Organizations.
The bearer of Neidonvaaja, an annual award for female influencers - project
