Bukowskis & Marimekko in conversation with artist Erja Hirvi

Bukowskis & Marimekko

The Artists Who Shaped Us Erja Hirvi

For a Marimekko-themed auction titled 'The Artists Who Shaped Us', few other creatives embody that label as well as Erja Hirvi. Considered one of Finland’s most prolific textile and print designers of her generation, she has left her signature on Marimekko print design since 1995 – an entire two years before she even graduated from university.

The Helsinki-based designer is perhaps best known for her print designs, but Hirvi has also created objects from cast iron, glass, ceramics, wood and beeswax. Since the 90s, she has created more than 160 patterns in collaboration with several Finnish companies, including Marimekko and Samuji.

Erja Hirvi’s work has been showcased in a variety of exhibitions and publications around the world. Most recently, she was awarded Textile designer of the Year 2021 by The Finnish Association of Textile Artists TEXO.

We caught up with Hirvi to ask about her relationship with Marimekko, her creative process and the artworks she’s chosen for this auction.

Have you had any personal or artistic intentions about what you wanted to bring into the Marimekko universe?

– That’s a bit of a tricky question because the creative director always plays a guiding role in each collaboration. But of course, as a designer, I have brought myself and my artistic vision to Marimekko.

What is it about Finnish design that seems to resonate so well with people from around the world?

– That’s a really difficult question. Marimekko founder Armi Ratia used to say that the secret to Marimekko was “kept under the printing table.” Perhaps that’s where we’ll find the answer.

Do you have a personal favourite among your pattern designs for Marimekko? And if so, can you tell us why that is?

– I like all the patterns that I succeeded to finish according to my idea because that’s not always easy.

But I really like Päiväntasaaja, Kumina, Hiisi, Rukki, Ikkunaprinssi specifically one colourway that was never produced, Kaakaopuu, and Pihapuu, to name few. Funny but the colourway really affects my likings a lot!

Can you take us through your process towards a design? Do you start with a clear idea, or does the idea take shape as you go deeper into your work?

– I always have an idea, and it’s sometimes more sudden, like a flash or an idea that I start cultivating. In the beginning, the idea often contains more elements than necessary, and then I start reducing them.

My sketches are quite funny and messy and small, so it can be quite laborious to get the final design ready. Sometimes the idea is so clear that I only need to paint or draw the original.