A versatile approach to materials
- Annika holds a Master's degree in fine art and design
- Through her paper art she explores her Finnish heritage
- She designs for flexibility and modular uses
Annika Toijanen was born and raised in Stockholm and she worked in an office for 25 years before starting her journey down a more artistic and creative avenue. Her ambition with her art is to tell a story and evoke emotions using blank strips of copy paper instead of using the written word. Both her parents are originally from Finland, and in her paper art Annika is researching her Finnish heritage, a heritage from a country she has never lived in but that holds her whole family history. In her designs, she enjoys problem solving and experimenting with new techniques, to find smart solutions for smaller space living. She also enjoys finding new and innovative ways of reusing and upcycling materials such as magazines, old metal cans and other found objects to create new design.
Interview
- Why did you choose copy paper as your main medium?
- It is a nod to my 25 years of office work and the many reports, emails and letters I have written on the same kind of paper. It is also a love for paper as a material and for what you can build with it. The techniques allow me to create volume out of something flat.
- Is your Finnish heritage a source of inspiration?
- My parents are both originally from Finland so researching my Finnish heritage is part of my approach to my art. I work in a methodical and repetitive way, combining many small shapes to create larger ones. My grandmother’s life, Finnish history and all the beautiful land, forests and lakes are the main inspiration for my different organic shapes.
- What is the end goal in your designs?
- Creating objects adapted to smaller living as I believe that everyone should try to minimise their footprint by downsizing their living space. The designs I create are flexible and sometimes even multi-functional – to be built in a way and in a material that could be changed, re-used or upgraded according to the situation.
- Is there something about your work that always surprises people?
- People are usually surprised by the fact that I never use any folding techniques when I am building my paper art. People are interested in how they are assembled, and I often hear “there must be some sort of folding involved,” but no. Not a single one. I usually use strips of paper and create the shapes by using the papers elasticity and weight.
Annika Toijanen is a rising star: she began her career in 2021
Where
Annika Toijanen
