Jani Wathén
Art & Work
Portfolio 2024
Step into the world of the remote, but unique and rich arctic through my creative lens
Photograph: Antti Huhtala, 2024
About Me
raised by the north, ever so inspired by the remoteness and complexity of the arctic
"multi-sensory madness creates experiences like no other"
artesan
Master of Arts - University of lapland
Design and arts educator from 2022
photographer
all photographs by me unless stated otherwise.
Artistic works
i have worked quite a bit with textiles, that is my main medium in my art. my main focus is to explore how textiles create a special bond to people, whether it stems from its sensory dimensions or if it is a generational attachment.
i also am very interested in other mediums as well and i try to explore new things as i create. click here for more!
distaffs of ostrobothnia, february 2024
series of artworks depicting the rich cultural folk art of distaffs from the region of ostrobothnia.
artist of the month, faculty of art and design, university of lapland. Galleria lovisa, Rovaniemi.
Rukinlapoja
Available for purchase, click for more www.instagram.com/studiowathen
Pehmeät Spektrit
Available for purchase, click for more www.instagram.com/studiowathen
A group exhibition of three textile based artists, exhibited in february-march 2024 in Galleria värinä, Rovaniemi, Finland.
new northern contemporary art connected by the artistic openings related to humanity, feelings, experiences and lived environment, which together with the written manifesto convey a strong message for the intervowen strands of spectrums that you might find in textile art.
my series of artworks speak about taboo, becoming a man, religious trauma and generational triggers. things that makes us humans experiencing this very physical but also a spiritual world.
Details of the exhibition and some of the artworks, available for purchase, click for more www.instagram.com/studiowathen
Soma
bigenerational art exhibition of the arctic environment
Tunturi-Lapin luontokeskus
Duottar-Sámi luondduguovddáš
metsähallitus
enontekiö, Finland, Spring 2022
Hämärän hahmot, figures in the dark
ink, watercolour and acrylic paint on paper , 2021 40 x 50 cm
"When you walk on the fell,
you are never short of friends."
Existence
A Photography series about the acceptance (or lack of it) and challenges of ones queer identity in the arctic circle
Part of the open call curated
by the the arctic Pride
meijän elämä -
Our life - Art exhibition
Library of Rovaniemi,
Finland, spring 2021
Treehugger
Bottoms up!
You can’t sit with us!
Tæcxtile +
A multisensory textile art installation with a focus on tactile responses
part of master thesis
study of senses and art
Spring 2019
sivele (REINDEER TAPESTRY)
COTTON, WOOL, REINDEER antlerS, REINDEER INSDUSTRY'S surplus fur
100 x 50 cm 2018
Koske II
cotton, recycled plastic pine needles, recycled textiles, cotton wool, stone spray
2017 130 x 40 cm
Beyond the North
an exploration and documentary to the
life in the arctic and northern finland
- ongoing project that started in 2017 ->
Design works
- commercial
i have masters degree in interior and textile design.
my main focus is patterns, product innovations and design.
I try to find the place in design that feels right, whether it‘s colors, shapes, functions or more.
Vaatelaastari
FabPatch
i took part of the launch of this finnish award winning innovation as one of the winners of the design competition. my designs were on stores throughout the country. the product is expanding internationally.
For more information click here!
Photograph: Aurora shop, 2024
Color changing sauna hat
an experimental product desing for urkin piilopirtti.
this innovation was inspired by traditional sauna hats, but the print was made with thermochromatic pigment that changes colour when the air around it reached certain point.
The idea was to create an experience when you go to a sauna in this particular hotel near tampere finland.
this product will be one of the artworks of the hotel in the future. more about urkin piilopirtti here!
Interior design &
textile products
Hotelli Aakenus
hotel room renovation in rovaniemi, finland. 2018
client wanted a room redesign and i ended up with a modern color-block entrance for cleaning comfort and visual clue. i used clean lines and materials, soft colors, and strong contrasts. i also designed an informational poster for the rooms and sold a pattern design spesifically made for the clients. 3d-modeling used : sketchup
Logo design
Ylikiimingin kotiseutuyhdistys
logo and brand design for ylikiimingin kotiseutuyhdistys ry.
client wanted something traditional, yet modern to be showcased at their annual summer event 2020 and to be used in future events . client wanted something traditional so i incorporated the sprigs around the round shape. they also wanted the tar barrels to be in the design and the establishment year of the organisation. the final design is five different logo marks that can be used differently.
Hautautuneena
e-textile prototype of a multisensory textile art installation using
bare conductive microcontrollers
sensors triggered by touch start a sound installation built inside the chair
spring 2020
An illustration for a Christmas launch
"Sleigh" - 2020
