EMMA Talks | The Magic of Finnish Textiles, a lecture by Maria Jernkvist

The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions during the lecture and to see samples from the speaker’s personal textile collection.

The lecture will be held in English, but questions can also be asked in Swedish. The venue is equipped with an induction loop.

“Finnish textiles – they are truly something special. It’s not just about fabric. It’s about feelings and memories. About a deep connection with nature, simplicity – and often about a bold, artistic expression that dares to stand out.

The magic is not only in how they look – in the vibrant colors, the clear lines, and the organic forms – but also in how they come to life. In how the artists work, seek, and experiment. How an idea takes shape and eventually becomes a finished print. When I’ve met with Finnish textile artists, one theme has returned again and again – the power of colour.

In this talk, I want to tell you about some of the stories I’ve made and to show you the pattern treasures I’ve discovered – and share how I, a Swede, fell so deeply for Finnish textile art that it completely changed the direction of my life. I want to both inspire and share knowledge, to contribute to preserving and bringing to life the invaluable Finnish cultural heritage in textiles.”

- Maria Jernkvist

Maria Jernkvist lives in Stockholm and works as a lecturer, curator, and freelance writer, specializing in Nordic textile art – particularly Finnish. Jernkvist is interested in patterns, design, color, and form. The Finnish textile tradition has fascinated her for over 20 years. Conversations with textile artists, as well as archives, literature, and libraries, have helped her build a narrative that not only highlights patterns but also brings out the personal stories of the designers behind them.