Pola Laamanen

Pola Laamanen (b. 1989) is a contemporary embroidery artist based in Vantaa, Finland (since 2019). Blending traditional techniques with hand-modified textiles, her background in Chemical Engineering informs a distinctive approach to texture and material. Laamanen developed her signature style in 2016, launching a popular line of hand-embroidered jewellery. Recognised internationally, her work has been featured in Vogue Scandinavia, Embroidery Magazine (UK), and KOEL (Italy/UAE), and her book 3D Realistic Embroidery (2020) showcases her innovative spirit.

Her recent projects explore the fusion of Scandinavian minimalism with realistic botanical embroidery, pushing the boundaries of contemporary textile art. Currently, through her ongoing series Karjalan Lanka – Karelian Embroidery Reimagined, supported by the Kone Foundation, Laamanen preserves and reinvents Karelian embroidery heritage, translating ancestral motifs into contemporary works that bridge tradition and modern expression.

CV

Education/

2012 - Master of Chemical Engineering, Higher School of Technology and Energetics

Solo&Duo Exhibitions/

2025 / FORGET ME NOT / BUD / Helsinki / FI

2024 / Myrsky Klovharunilla / w/Anna Poleteli / Asbestos art gallery / Helsinki / FI

2024 / My winter garden / Luckan culture centre / Helsinki / FI

2023 / Neighbour’s windows in process / Myymälä 2 / Helsinki / FI

Selected Group Exhibitions/

2026 / Balkan Textile Week 2026 / Belgrade / SRB

2026 / Les Variations Textiles XXL / Paris / FR

2025 / HIAA FEST /Kaapelitehdas / FI

2025 / KEHÄ / Lanterna Magica / Helsinki / FI

2025 / The Broderers' Exhibition: The Art of Embroidery / Bankside Gallery / London / UK

2025 / Lux Amoris: Floriography / BUD / Helsinki / FI

2024 / The Art of Small / Tampere Intercultural Art Space / Tampere / FI

2024 / HIAA FEST / Helsinki City museum / Helsinki / FI

2024 / Northern Crossroads / Nordic Culture Point / Suomenlinna / FI

2023 / HIAA FEST / Kaapelitehdas / Helsinki / FI

2023 / YÖ kekri v.2 / Yö Gallery / Helsinki / FI

2023 / Kunsthaus 2023 Finissage / Helsinki / FI

2023 / Art for All Festival ‘Invitation’ / Kalasatama / Helsinki / FI

2023 / YÖ FEST / Yö Gallery / Helsinki / FI

2023 / GAP WINDOW / Globe Art Point / Helsinki / FI

2022 / LIGHT / Lapinlahden Lähde / Helsinki / FI

Artist Residency/

2025 / Donner Residency / Kontraktion magazine / Helsinki / FI

2023 / AFA FEST 2023 'Invitation' / Helsinki / FI

2023 / Kunsthaus Jägermeister / Helsinki / FI

Grants&Awards/

2024 / KONE FOUNDATION / 1 year artist working grant / FI

2024 / CreaDemo AVEK Kopiosto / project grant / FI

Featured Artist Display (Selected)/

2024 / Liike / Design District / Helsinki / FI

Professional Membership/

VICE Chair Art For All RY since 2025

Board member HIAA (2023-2025)

ORNAMO RY / TEXO RY / Nordic Textile Art / Art for All RY / Globe Art Point RY / CATALYSTI RY

Media&Press (Selected)/

2026 / Garland magazine / Article / AU

2025 / KOEL Magazine / STORY / Interview / IT/UAE

2025 / Behind the canvas / Hardcover book - Joel Petzold / feature / FI

2024 / The Visit podcast / link / FI

2023 / The Embroidery Magazine / no.74 / Interview and artworks / UK

2022 / The Vogue Scandinavia / no.9 / Interview and artworks / EU

Publications/

2020 / 3D realistic embroidery / Hardcover / 144 pages / Publisher EKSMO / RU