{"id":22130,"date":"2026-02-09T18:28:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T17:28:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/finncult.be\/?p=22130"},"modified":"2026-02-16T15:48:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T14:48:56","slug":"juha-vehmaanperas-exhibition-infuses-traditional-craft-and-fashion-with-punk-energy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/finncult.be\/fi\/juha-vehmaanperas-exhibition-infuses-traditional-craft-and-fashion-with-punk-energy\/","title":{"rendered":"Juha Vehmaanper\u00e4’s exhibition infuses traditional craft and fashion with punk energy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Press Release<\/strong><\/p>\n

Punk Princess, dedicated advocate of craft, Craftiest Bitch in Town. Knitwear artist Juha Vehmaanper\u00e4<\/strong>\u2019s first major solo exhibition, Craft Punk,<\/em> offers a vibrant overview of their work from the past ten years. The exhibition opens at the Gallery of the Architecture & Design Museum in Helsinki on Friday, 20 February.<\/p>\n

Juha Vehmaanper\u00e4<\/strong>\u00a0(b. 1993) creates garments by knitting and crocheting, combining traditional handicraft techniques with contemporary themes and technologies through experimentation. Their exuberant and abundant designs go beyond practical clothing needs and challenge gender norms, consumer culture and visual expectations.<\/p>\n

Craft Punk<\/em> is both the title of the exhibition and a guiding philosophy for Vehmaanper\u00e4\u2019s practice. It encourages shaking off conventions and being oneself, expressing freely without concern for predefined categories or the boundaries of fashion. Knitted and crocheted materials do not force the wearer into a fixed shape but allow the body to guide the form of the garment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI aim for my garments not to define their wearers. Instead, the wearer defines themselves through the garments. I want to create space for creativity and experimentation in craft, fashion and art,\u201d Vehmaanper\u00e4 says.<\/p>\n

Experimentation has intrinsic value in Vehmaanper\u00e4\u2019s artistic practice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI represent an unapologetic craft aesthetic that brings together rich colours and forms. Bold experimentation challenges me to do things in new ways. Craft can be large-scale, striking and take a stand. I combine materials and colours intuitively and see where that leads,\u201d Vehmaanper\u00e4 explains.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

Making is thinking<\/h2>\n

Through making, it is possible to engage in wordless dialogue around themes that can otherwise be difficult to express. Through their knitted works, Vehmaanper\u00e4 explores topics such as queer identity and stretches traditional notions of gender.<\/p>\n

\u201cKnitting and making clothes originally taught me how to speak. Through it, I began to form an understanding of my own identity even before I had words for it. After that, it became easier to find my own voice.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Alongside breaking and crossing boundaries, Vehmaanper\u00e4 emphasises the unifying power of knitting and making by hand. Knitting is not only a traditional craft technique but also a way of being, through which connections can be found across generational divides.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I\u00b4m knitting together with my grandmother, she is able to pass on her knowledge and skills to me. At the same time, it originally created a shared space for us where it was easier for me, through my knitting, to communicate and tell her about myself.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/h2>\n

Craft Punk<\/em> overflows with textiles, yarn, colour and events<\/h2>\n

The exhibition Juha Vehmaanper\u00e4:<\/em> Craft Punk<\/em> presents five of Vehmaanper\u00e4\u2019s collections, along with outfits, samples and sketches. The collections represent different stages of the artist\u2019s career to date. Mascuclinically Tested<\/em> (Bachelor\u2019s thesis, 2018) satirically addresses heteronormative male gender stereotypes. DIVIDEDby2<\/em> (2025) consists of gender-neutral evening wear. For this collection, Vehmaanper\u00e4 dismantled, turned inside out and reconstructed gendered garments such as second-hand evening dresses, suits and ties.<\/p>\n

In the collection Do Machines Dream of Handknit Mittens?<\/em> (2023), Vehmaanper\u00e4 plays with materials and DIY culture. The collection features garments that combine knitted surfaces with 3D-printed elements. The exhibition also includes entirely new work. For the Interexterior Decoration collection<\/em> (2026), Vehmaanper\u00e4 spent early 2026 knitting at the TextielLab<\/a> in Tilburg in the Netherlands and collaborated with Novita<\/a>. The collection\u2019s aesthetic draws on everyday home textiles, which are transformed into wearable forms.<\/p>\n

In addition to inspiring visitors, Craft Punk<\/em> invites participation and hands-on making. Anyone can sit down and take part in creating a shared knitted artwork located in the exhibition space. Instructions for making chain stitches, along with all necessary materials and tools, are provided. Participants can take part in their own way, using a crochet hook or fingers, knotting or threading.<\/p>\n

On the opening day, 20 February, a joint guided tour will be led by the exhibition\u2019s curator,\u00a0Suvi Saloniemi<\/strong>, and Juha Vehmaanper\u00e4. The tour offers insights into the exhibition themes and Vehmaanper\u00e4\u2019s artistic practice. Throughout the exhibition period, workshops and artist talks will also be organised, offering tips for developing craft skills and encouraging hands-on making. On the events page of the museum<\/a> you can explore the schedules for the Craft Club HEL x Architecture & Design Museum knitting group and check dates for artist talks.<\/p>\n

Curators: Suvi Saloniemi, Juha Vehmaanper\u00e4
\nArchitecture: Elina Aalto<\/strong>
\nTogether with: The Finnish Heritage Agency, Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux, Novita<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Juha Vehmaanper\u00e4<\/h2>\n