R a i j a  R a s t a s

The fascinating variety of commissions, from
crafting jewellery to designing liturgical church
textiles, is a great richness in my profession.
I have worked with textiles since the early 1980s, when I graduated from the University of Art and Design Helsinki.

Working as a freelancer allows me artistic
freedom. My home and studio amidst the beautiful cultural landscape of Seutula in rural Finland are ideal for creative work. Nature provides me with new experiences every day: I sense shapes, colours, the play between shadow and light, continuous changes in form. The fast pulse of city life is also inspiring, but I find that only amidst nature can ideas be refined and given depth.

The main fields of my artistic work include textile art installations for public places, church textiles and sculptured jewellery using textile techniques. My other areas of expertise include interior decorating textiles and rugs, business gifts, lecturing and providing colour courses for different groups. In connection with these commissions I work in fruitful collaboration with architects, weavers and other artists. I maintain an open-minded attitude towards everything new – each commission is a fresh challenge that I like to tackle with all my heart and soul.

C u r r i c u l u m  V i t a e