Helmi Remes

Lasismi

Glass sculptor

©Anni Remes

©Teo Cederqvist

©Mikko Rasila

©Anni Remes

Patterns inspired by nature

Helmi creates contemporary glass vases
Her artworks reflect microbiological events
She enjoys collaborating with other glass blowers

Helmi Remes is inspired by the wonders of nature, those tiny details and phenomena not visible to the human eye. Her work reflects microbiological events and evokes memories of encounters with something mysterious. Even for a professional like her with a decade long career as a designer and an artist, glass represents something of a mystery. Its beauty offers never-ending fascination and curiosity. The process is always a challenge and teaches her humility. Helmi combines different methods like fusing, kiln casting and various glassblowing techniques. Material is the beginning of everything and her aim is to highlight and harness its best qualities and create surprising visual effects.

Interview

©Mikko Rasila

©Anni Remes

What life lesson have you learned thanks to your craft?: I learned to be humble and help others succeed, as this helps move my craft forward. The driving force that all of us artisans should cherish is collaboration. I have learned a lot from people who have openly shared their knowledge, and I want to share my own experience.
What is unusual about your work?: I do not make precise plans or drawings. I just make quick sketches to decide the direction. Then I have consultations and discussions with other glassblowers. Usually the best results are achieved by trying out different things and approaching the material from a new angle.
What does contemporary innovation in your craft look like?: New innovations with glass are rare, as the material has many limitations on what kind of objects can be made from it. That is why it is especially rewarding and inspiring when I find a unique way to create patterns in glass or am able to affect people's emotions with my work.
What are achievements you are particularly proud of?: My most recent achievements include a two-month residency in New York at the invitation of the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York and a one-month residency at the Starworks Glass Center in North Carolina. Being exhibited at the Chappe Museum in Tammisaari, Finland, which opened in 2025, is the biggest achievement in my career so far.

Helmi Remes is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2010