Kustaa Saksi (b. 1975, Kouvola, Finland) is a Finnish multidisciplinary artist based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. His work occupies the dynamic intersection of art and design, exploring themes of abstraction, nature, and perception. Saksi’s practice blends organic qualities with intricate textures, bold color palettes, and experimental materials to create immersive environments, objects, and atmospheres.
Inspired by the abstracted edges of perception, Saksi’s art often draws from surreal and illusory experiences, particularly his fascination with the kaleidoscopic visual distortions associated with migraine auras. These elements manifest in patterns, geometric structures, and hypnotic motifs, as seen in his celebrated Hypnopompic tapestry series, which captures the transitional state between dreaming and waking. His First Symptoms collection delves into the science and personal experience of migraines, incorporating visual motifs such as checkerboards, spirals, and concentric patterns.
For the past years, Saksi has honed his craft at the renowned TextielLab under Textielmuseum in Tilburg, The Netherlands. There, he has developed innovative weaving techniques, blending traditional Jacquard methods with contemporary experimentation. Combining natural fibers like mohair, alpaca, and wool with unconventional materials such as rubber, metal, and phosphorescent yarns, Saksi creates complex, tactile works he likens to "action-painting with warp and weft."
Saksi’s artistic vision has earned him global recognition. His works have been exhibited at prominent institutions including the Victoria & Albert Museum, Cooper Hewitt Museum, Design Museum Helsinki, and Museo Poldi Pezzoli. Solo exhibitions have been held in New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam, among other cities. His creations are part of museum collections and private holdings worldwide. In 2023, Saksi was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland.
In addition to his gallery and museum work, Saksi has collaborated with prestigious brands such as Hermès, Nike, Issey Miyake, and Marimekko, and produced commissioned editions for institutions like the Royal Academy of Arts and the Victoria & Albert Museum. With his innovative use of materials and mastery of the Jacquard weaving technique, Saksi continues to redefine the boundaries of contemporary art and design, enriching the field of interdisciplinary culture.
Inspired by the abstracted edges of perception, Saksi’s art often draws from surreal and illusory experiences, particularly his fascination with the kaleidoscopic visual distortions associated with migraine auras. These elements manifest in patterns, geometric structures, and hypnotic motifs, as seen in his celebrated Hypnopompic tapestry series, which captures the transitional state between dreaming and waking. His First Symptoms collection delves into the science and personal experience of migraines, incorporating visual motifs such as checkerboards, spirals, and concentric patterns.
For the past years, Saksi has honed his craft at the renowned TextielLab under Textielmuseum in Tilburg, The Netherlands. There, he has developed innovative weaving techniques, blending traditional Jacquard methods with contemporary experimentation. Combining natural fibers like mohair, alpaca, and wool with unconventional materials such as rubber, metal, and phosphorescent yarns, Saksi creates complex, tactile works he likens to "action-painting with warp and weft."
Saksi’s artistic vision has earned him global recognition. His works have been exhibited at prominent institutions including the Victoria & Albert Museum, Cooper Hewitt Museum, Design Museum Helsinki, and Museo Poldi Pezzoli. Solo exhibitions have been held in New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam, among other cities. His creations are part of museum collections and private holdings worldwide. In 2023, Saksi was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland.
In addition to his gallery and museum work, Saksi has collaborated with prestigious brands such as Hermès, Nike, Issey Miyake, and Marimekko, and produced commissioned editions for institutions like the Royal Academy of Arts and the Victoria & Albert Museum. With his innovative use of materials and mastery of the Jacquard weaving technique, Saksi continues to redefine the boundaries of contemporary art and design, enriching the field of interdisciplinary culture.