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BIO

Kirsi Vahtera

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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

 

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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

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Study tours and seminars

 

2011 Seppede päv, Kaaruka, Estonia

2006 Escola Massana, Barcelona, student exchange

2003 Baltic forging weeks, Mynämäki, Finland

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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

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