Päivi Vaarula
Artists in residence for the month of April 2023
In her own words:
I am Päivi Vaarula, a Finnish textile artist. I am working in Gilfélagið artist residency in April 2023. I have been doing textile art for 40 years and I have a Master of Arts degree. I translate life into the language of textiles. My goal as an artist is to tell stories and explore the life of a woman. I reflect the emotions, feelings, ideas and opinions into my art. I shift into a new concept quite rapidly and follow my instincts.
This is my fifth residency trip to Iceland. I lived in Iceland 2017-2019 and taught vocational subjects in Textiles at Hallormsstaðaskóli. Returning to Iceland is always a great pleasure.
During my artist residency I have been researching the emotions which stay under the skin. First pieces were pushing the unpleasant feelings into the surface. But one by one they became more and more positive. I was shaping fish leather and letting the material speak to me. With the idea I had in mind, the forms developed in my hands.
Together with my friend, Ragnheiður Björk þórsdóttir, we are giving the exhibition “Teksti”, at Mjólkurbúðin Gallery from 14 to 23 April 2023. Besides that, I will have a solo exhibition “Undir Húðhinni”, Under the skin, in Deiglan Gallery, 22nd and 23rd of April at 14-17.
.Deiglan Gallery’s works consist of fish skins that I have shaped. I explore feelings and events in my life that have remained under the skin.
My exhibition “Undir Húðhinni”, Under the skin, will be in Deiglan Gallery, 22nd and 23rd of April at 14-17.
