Dorrit von Fieandt (b. 1927) has been dubbed the dissident of Finnish ceramic art. The vibrant colours of her works are an eye-catching exception in Finnish design, which is generally considered austere.

Dorrit von Fieandt’s retrospective exhibition The Colours of Life presents an artist who paints stories and feelings onto ceramics. Whether harlequins, traditional Ostrobothnian weddings or gardens, the motifs of her work emerge from her own life. The exhibition comprises hundreds of unique pieces from the 1940s to the turn of the 21st century and serially produced objects and services that she has designed for Arabia.

The exhibition begins with von Fieandt’s early work from her own studios. Many of these unique pieces and services were inspired by gardens in bloom and woodland plants and animals.

She made her breakthrough in 1986 when she was offered a six-month residence at Arabia’s art department. But instead of staying for six months, she worked there for 12 years, creating unique works of art and also dozens of prototypes for the Pro Arte series and 18 services. Almost all of them are displayed in the exhibition.

Dorrit von Fieandt has mastered the traditions and numerous techniques of ceramics. She has specialised in painting on unfired clay. This technique imparts a spontaneous effect similar to that of watercolours, but it is very demanding because the subsequent firing alters the colours. The exhibition includes a special section presenting the techniques and processes used by the artist.

Lasipalatsin Mediakeskus Oy ©2001 27.4.2007