Bio
I’m an artist (b.1981) living and working in Helsinki. The focus of my work is on visually detailed, tactile architectural ceramics and on sculptural emphasis with an experimental approach to the material and the chemistry in it. Influenced by geometrical forms and abstract, figurative expression, I create contrasting entities which are often collage-like.
My approach to materials emphasise their distinctive characteristics, creating a dialogue between texture and form, while the meticulous shapes crafted through various techniques bring coherence to the entity. Opposites and contrasts and their interactions are a unifying factor in my work. I find my inspiration from stories, architectural forms around us, different eras in history, visual contrasts and especially from rocks and minerals.
My works has been exhibited nationally and internationally and can be found in public and private collections. I’ve made several public art works in Finland and abroad.
Education
2010 Master of Arts. Aalto University, School of Art and Design, Applied Art and Design.
2007 Bachelor of Arts. University of Art and Design Helsinki (UIAH), Ceramic and Glass Art.
2004 Ceramicist. Forssa Vocational Institute, Department of Crafts and Design.
Selected exhibitions
2025 Lahja15 - a group exhibition. Aalto University, Espoo (FI)
2024 Re-Think, Re-Form. Studio Bom, Helsinki (FI)
2024 Jardin Imaginaire. Institut finlandais, Paris (FR)
2023 Scandinavian Craftsmen. IDÉE, Tokyo (JP)
2023 Viva Magenta. Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki (FI)
2022 Solo exhibition. Täky Gallery, Lappeenranta (FI)
2022 Serving Sculpture - Renewal of Finnish Craft & Design. Finnish Institute, Stockholm (SE)
2022 State of Clay. Solo Exhibition. Garden Room, Kämp Gallery. Helsinki (FI)
2021 Solid Ground. Aalto University, Helsinki (FI)
2021 Monomio Spot, Fuorisalone 2021. Milan (IT)
2020 Nouvelle Saison. Institut finlandais, Paris (FR)
2019 Distant Friends: Textiles and Ceramics. Vienna (AT)
2019 Finno-Ugric Approach to Sustainable Lifestyle. London (GB)
2019 Talentshop 2019. Habitare, Helsinki (FI)
2019 Chart Art Fair, Copenhagen (DK)
2019 Makers of Now, Iittala & Arabia Design Centre. Helsinki (FI)
2018 Czech Design Week. Congress Centre. Prague (CZ)
2018 Back to Basics. Galerie Résidences. Paris (FR)
2018 DIN - Design In, Fuorisalone 2018. Milan (IT)
2017 100% Design. Olympia, London (GB)
2012 LOLO&RORO, Applied Art and Design 10 years jubilee exhibition. Rantamakasiini, Helsinki (FI)
2011 AVOIN140, University of Arts and Design 140 year anniversary. Design Museum, Helsinki (FI)
Artist statement
I’m a researcher by nature and I observe and search for the details of materials and their visual properties. I’m fascinated by how surfaces feel, how different details are created and what kind of contrasts they create in relation to each other.
I am a very material-oriented artist and through hands and touch I originally found a channel to express my creativity. Ceramics is the most interesting material for me in the field of art, especially its chemistry in all different stages of work inspires me. Its endless possibilities and versatility in terms of clay, glazes and techniques is a lifelong journey that constantly fuels my inspiration. Along with the material, the cornerstone of my artistic process is play, which I express and implement through both my world of colors and my puzzle-like creative process. Through play I find an outlet for my expression.
I seek questions rather than answers through my art, because with my works and their figurative world I seek to awaken the viewer's imagination and lead them into their own dream world. I feel that I succeed in my art if I can convey the play of the mind and fantasy through it.
FOLLOW // @laura_itkonen
