hi, IT’s me, matilda

Matilda Palmu (MA) is a Helsinki based artist, designer and a teacher who finds inspiration for her work from her life and conversations with others, from 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 art 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, interior architecture and furniture design. She graduated as Master of Arts from Aalto University in 2020 focusing on contemporary art and textile design. She also has years of experience working as a teacher focusing on colors and materials, creativity and artistic processes.

“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.

I’m very outgoing and social person and working together with other people is close to my heart. Whether it is teaching or hosting a workshop, community art or a collaboration, I enjoy it!”

CONTACT

You can reach me from matilda.palmu[at]gmail.com and you can also find me at Instagram

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EDUCATION

2020

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

2015

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

2008

Degree of Metal Artisan, Mynämäki Craft and Design College, Product Design and Manufacturing Programme

EXHIBITIONS

Solo

Coming -25

Vestigium, Galleria Jänis, Turku

2025

FLOWERS & MAGIC, Vallilan Panimon Galleria, Helsinki

2024

Wonderland, Galleria 2, Pirkkala

2023/24

Daydreaming, Polhem Showroom, Helsinki

2023

From a Distant Galaxy, Loisti, Helsinki

2022

Forever Summer, Kulmapala studio, Helsinki

Creatures and other wonders, Asbestos Art Space, Helsinki

They come in peace, Galleria Uusi Kipinä, Lahti

2021

Fantastical creatures in the sexotic garden, HAA Galleria, Suomenlinna, Helsinki

2020

Pussyeyes and nippleflowers, Lokal Satellite Space, Helsinki

Group

2024

Koola Art Space- group exhibition, Helsinki

Between Happiness & Despair, Taiteen Talo & Kunsthal Nord, Turku & Ålborg

Salarakas - 4 years / 50 issues -anniversary exhibition, Kalleria Galleria, Helsinki

Ihmemaa X, Purkutaide -exhibition, Kerava

Taidemyynti vol 2, Galleria Toinen Silmä, Helsinki

Runokuvaa 6, Levo teatteri, Sörkan Ruusu, Helsinki

2022/23

Identity, Lapinlahden Lähde, Helsinki

2022

Signals, Habitare Fair, Helsinki

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

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

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

Postitaide – MAIL ART, B-Gallery, Turku

2019

Textiles Tomorrow Summit, Aalto University, Väre campus, Otaniemi

Protoshop 2019, Habitare -deisgn fair, Helsinki

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

EcoDesign, Habitare -deisgn fair, Helsinki

Matter, Atski Gallery, Helsinki

Barewood, Milan Design Week 2017, Italy

2016

Nuutajärvi Local, Aalto University, Arabia campus, Helsinki

Protoshop 2016, Habitare -deisgn fair, Helsinki

2015

Unveiled, Habitare -deisgn fair, Helsinki

Unveiled, DMY Design Festival Berlin, Germany

MI15, Helsinki

2013

Wire chair, Karisma, Lahti

2012

Woodment, Propuu, Lahti

GRANTS

2023/24

Alfred Kordelin Foundation, Working Grant

2023

Taike, Project Grant

2022

Taike, Public Display Grant

Taike, COVID-19 Grant

2021

Taike, COVID-19 Grant

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)

Furniture Foundation Grant (for a working group)

RECENT WORK / PROJECTS / ETC

Current positions:

Part time museum worker at Amos Rex Art Museum, Helsinki (since 2024)

Part time art & design teacher at HEO Adult Education School, Architecture and design & Interior design - programmes (since 2017)

Freelance designer & artist. Example of clientele: City of Vantaa, Lapuan Kankurit, Aalto University, Farkku-Sampo and private persons (since 2015). Latest projects as an independent artist/designer:

2024

In the Garden (Fin. Puutarhassa) -art workshop planning and hosting at Kulttuuripaja Casa, Turku

2023

Mural for Myyrmäki Station in Vantaa, together with Maria Björklund

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

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

MEMBERSHIPS

2022

Ornamo ry, full member

Tekstiilitaiteilijat TEXO ry, full member

publications

2020

Pussyeyes and nippleflowers - finding one’s identity and expression with textile as medium, Master’s Thesis

2015

Intuition vs reason (Fin. Intuitio vs ratio), Bacherlo’s Thesis