In the realm where art, science, and design converge, Finnish multidisciplinary artist and designer, Kustaa Saksi stands as a visionary storyteller. Based in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, his work transcends conventional boundaries, weaving intricate narratives through patterns, textile art, and installations. His creative journey is an exploration of the abstracted edge of perception, where ideas of nature take on surreal and captivating forms.

Born in Kouvola, Finland, in 1975, Saksi has spent years meticulously crafting worlds that are simultaneously playful, paradoxical, and thought-provoking. His creations emerge from the ordinary and the extraordinary, fusing organic qualities with meticulous textures, rich colour palettes, and experimental materials. Whether it's the dreamlike Hypnopompic tapestry series, inspired by the transition between dreaming and awakening, or the First Symptoms collection, drawing from the experience of migraines, Saksi's work delves into the depths of human sensory experience.

Saksi's fascination with illusory states and visual delusions finds expression in his art, often characterised by mesmerising patterns and structures. These patterns, reminiscent of the visual auras experienced by migraine sufferers, cover his canvas like a complex tapestry, evoking a sense of wonder and intrigue.

At the heart of Saksi's artistic journey lies his seven-year exploration at the TextielLab within Het Nederlandse Textielmuseum in Tilburg, the Netherlands. Here, he has honed his craft, experimenting with weaving techniques, materials, and his unique approach, which he describes as "action-painting with warp and weft." This innovative process combines natural fibres with rubber, metal, acrylic, and phosphorescent yarns, pushing the boundaries of traditional jacquard weaving.

Saksi's creations have graced the halls of renowned institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum, Cooper Hewitt Museum, and the San Jose Museum of Art, among others. He has held solo exhibitions in major global cities, captivating audiences with his surreal and out-of-place designs. His work is cherished by museums and private collectors worldwide, and he has collaborated with high-profile brands such as Hermès and Issey Miyake as well as commercial brands such as Nike.

In his most recent exhibition at the Design Museum in Helsinki, Saksi presented a decade of his hypnotic jacquard weavings. This immersive experience delves into themes of dreams, hallucinations, and mythical narratives, offering viewers a glimpse into the artist's fascination with the human brain's unique processing of sensory information.

Saksi's foray into furniture design, showcased by Gallery Fumi at Salon NYC 2023, introduces a series of one-of-a-kind creations made from Japanese paper, oak wood, apple tree wood, and brass. These functional art pieces continue his exploration of mythological narratives and the enduring patterns that weave through human culture.

Below are the edited excerpts from my conversation with the artist...

Zeynep Rekkali Jensen: Your work often draws inspiration from the intersection of art and science, particularly in your First Symptoms collection influenced by migraines. Can you tell us more about how you translate scientific phenomena into your artistic creations, and what fascinates you about this merging of disciplines?

Kustaa Saksi: In my work, I often deal with transitional spaces that emerge between the imagined and the real, sleep and wakefulness, madness and sanity. Themes of my personal experience of migraines, universal experiences of dreams and hallucinatory visions, and mythical narratives seem to reappear in my works. I am intrigued by the human brain, especially its capacity to process sensory information differently and unexpectedly. My work is often layered with different pictorial motifs: zoological and botanical illustration, the visual illusions caused by migraine, geometric shapes, weave diagrams and psychedelic imagery.

Zeynep: You described your weaving technique as "action-painting with warp and weft." Could you explain the process behind this technique and how it allows you to achieve the intricate textures and patterns in your jacquard weavings?

Kustaa: I started my experimentation with jacquard-woven textiles 12 years ago. I like the endless possibilities of working with yarns—which, of course, also comes with challenges. My tapestries are combinations of complicated layers of bindings and the interface between the virtual and the material is mixed. The tapestries are woven with natural materials and synthetic ingredients, such as mohair, wool, cotton, silk, viscose, rubber, copper, and polyester fibres. Together the materials create a rich, multi-dimensional surface and texture.

Zeynep: You have exhibited your work in various prestigious museums and collaborated with renowned brands. Could you share some insights into how your art bridges the gap between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design, and what you believe makes your work resonate with such a wide audience?

Kustaa: Luckily, I have found a hole between art and design, where I am operating. I have always tried to avoid belonging too much to any one particular group, and I feel I have more freedom to create. All of my forms are somehow inspired by the organic, natural forms found in nature. They can be fractal-like ranging from cosmic to microscopic scale, or literally based on a tree branch found on the street. Maybe the familiar shapes resonate with the audience as my style is a combination of organic forms found in nature and recurring structures appearing in the world.

Zeynep: Your recent exhibition at the Design Museum in Helsinki delves into themes of dreams, hallucinations, and mythical narratives. How do these themes influence your creative process, and what message or emotions do you hope your viewers take away from your artwork?

Kustaa: I am interested in recurring patterns appearing in the world and their variations. According to the structuralist way of thinking expressed in my works, everything that exists has some common structural origin, creating an infinite number of forms that appear in the surrounding world. For me, it’s a way to try to make sense of it all. I am giving hints to the audience, but I am encouraging them to use their own imagination to fill in the gaps depending on their experiences.

Zeynep: Your furniture designs for Gallery Fumi, the Pitkä-Kotka series, are unique and captivating. Can you elaborate on your inspiration and creative process behind these functional art pieces, and how they relate to your broader artistic vision?

Kustaa: It's an ongoing series of cabinets combining woven fabric made of Japanese paper with exceptional carpentry. The project is taking its inspiration from cabinets of curiosities—or wunderkammers—hiding the story of Iku-Turso, a mythological sea monster, best known for appearing in the Finnish national epic. It follows my continuous interest in world mythologies and their eternal, repetitive nature in our societies.