Woven Beauty – Four centuries of Finnish ryijy rugs

The exhibition Woven Beauty – Four centuries of Finnish ryijy textiles presents a wide and diverse selection of ryijys that shows their richness as well as their many shapes, textures and patterns that have changed over time. The ryijy has seen many colourful phases in its history and recent times, always returning in new forms to carry on its lively tradition for new generations.

Kunsthalle Helsinki will exhibit ryijys from over 300 years. The selection of around 130 ryijys includes traditional types from the 18th and 19th centuries such as bridal and tree of life motifs, modern artistic ryijys from the 1960s, as well as new ryijys from recent years that exemplify a diversity of materials.  

All the ryijy textiles in the exhibition belong to Tuomas Sopanen's incomparable collection of nearly 600 ryijys. Tuomas Sopanen, PhD, is an emeritus professor of Plant Science at the University of Joensuu with a specialisation in Plant Physiology and Plant Biotechnology. Sopanen co-authored the book The ryijy-rug lives on – Finnish ryijy-rugs 1778-2008 together with Leena Willberg. Sopanen is currently retired and holds lectures on ryijy art.

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