The Prestigious Young Applied Artists Award Goes to Lisa Juntunen Roos

Perinnösta Ja Halusta, 2023 by Lisa Juntunen Roos, winner of the 2023 Young Applied Artists Award.

Lisa Juntunen Roos is the winner of the Young Applied Artists Award. Her innovative textile art was critical to her achievement and winning the Young Applied Artists Award.

ARTCENTRON NEWS

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN- Lisa Juntunen Roos, a distinguished textile artist, is the winner of the 2023 Young Applied Artists Award. Administered by the Friends of Nationalmuseum, this prestigious accolade comes with a generous SEK 100,000 ($9,110.54) scholarship. The Bengt Julin Fund annually bestows this honor to commend the exceptional work of emerging applied artists under the age of 35 in Sweden.

The jury, led by Elsebeth Welander-Berggren and comprising Rolf Julin, Micael Ernstell, Love Jönsson, and Kerstin Wickman, unanimously selected Juntunen Roos as the deserving recipient of this year’s Young Applied Artists award.

Lisa Juntunen Roos earned the jury’s acclaim for her innovative use of recycled materials and unwavering commitment to craftsmanship. Her art, intricately woven with social issues, resonates profoundly with the contemporary world, as the jury noted. In their concluding remarks, the jury lauded the eloquence of her work and personal narrative, solidifying her standing as the distinguished recipient of the 2023 Young Applied Artists Award.

About Lisa Juntunen Roos

Lisa Juntunen Roos was born in 1988 in Västerås. Her artistic journey is characterized by a rich educational background, including studies at Capellagården, Handarbetets Vänners skola, and Konstfack. Her impressive CV boasts participation in various exhibitions. She has commissioned works, such as “Ne Jotka Tulivat Me Jotka Jäimme” for the Oxen parking garage in Västerås in 2022.

Artistic Philosophy

Lisa’s art is a multifaceted exploration, with one foot firmly rooted in traditional textile crafts. She delves into the making process, the role of tradition, and its impact on national identity. Simultaneously, her other footsteps into the realm of artistic research and design, where the first pillar transforms into a unique means of artistic expression. Her works serve as a constant exploration of her bicultural identity, forming a narrative in chapters.

Crafting a Finnish Tradition

In her work, Lisa employs a technique rooted in Finnish tradition, drawing inspiration from crafting with birch bark. This material, once commonplace but overshadowed by plastic in the 1960s, holds a significant place in Lisa’s art. The use of discarded materials, a phenomenon typical of the Finnish mindset, reflects a historical context shaped by war and rationing. For Lisa, it’s a source of pride to repurpose what others might discard.

Lisa emphasizes the independence of the materials she works with:

“It’s important to me that the material I work with is independent, by which I mean that the material and the technique possess a certain something, and I can use that something as a springboard to create my own narrative. From an applied art perspective, I look at the people that constitute society. Making has always been close to people, and every story has a material.”

Lisa uses her work to address the social issues of our time, focusing on migration and family relationships. Using shredded coffee packaging and a braiding technique borrowed from traditional birch bark crafts, she expresses a personal narrative that adds depth and meaning to her creations.

Young Applied Artists Award: A Legacy

Founded in 2001 by Bengt Julin, the award aims to recognize the contributions of emerging applied artists under the age of 35 in Sweden. Past recipients, including Rasmus Nossbring, Alexander Tallén, and Märta Mattsson, attest to the prestigious nature of the award.

The culmination of this journey is the award presentation ceremony at Nationalmuseum on November 16. This event is a major recognition of Lisa Juntunen Roos’ artistic achievement. It is a celebration of emerging talents in the realm of applied arts.

In weaving tradition with modern expression, Roos stands as a beacon of innovation in the world of applied arts. The 2023 Young Applied Artists Award is a testament to her unique approach to materiality, technique, and narrative. As we celebrate her achievements, we also anticipate the continued impact of artists like Lisa on the evolving landscape of applied arts.