Prayer - Ecclesiastical Textiles by Helena Vaari 14.9.–24.11.2024

The exhibition displays ecclesiastical textiles designed and made by textile artist Helena Vaari. She has designed five copes for six bishops and textiles for 15 churches. In her artistic career of 37 years she has made nearly 450 pieces of liturgical textiles. The exhibition is a rare opportunity to see ecclesiastical textiles from various churches in one place.

The oldest ecclesiastical textiles on display date from 1987 and are from St Mary’s, Hollola, while the newest are from this year and Piikkiö. She has made textiles for the Lappee church, Lappeenranta, St Peter’s, Lieto and St Paul’s (Paavalinkirkko), Helsinki, among others.

Vaari has designed and embroidered liturgical vestments for the bishops of Mikkeli (2010), Helsinki (2017), Kuopio (2018), Tampere (2019) and Turku (2021).

Helena Vaari’s technique is demanding artistic handicraft which combines free art embroidery and applique. Ecclesiastical textiles were embroidered and sewn as early as the Middle Ages. Vaari’s art embroidery is based on ancient tradition and uses modern methods.

Helena Vaari

Helena Vaari graduated as a textile designer in 1987 from Kuopio Home and Art Industry College. She has worked as a designer in several companies and is a freelance designer. She has been an entrepreneur since 2003. Helena Vaari completed the special vocational qualification of master craftsman in 2019.

Helena Vaari has been a member of Ornamo Art and Design Finland and TEXO association since 1991 and a member of the Lahti Artists' Association since 2010. Vaari received the provincial Entrepreneur of the Year award from Päijät-Hämeen Yrittäjät in 2022. Archbishop Tapio Luoma awarded Helena Vaari the Mikael Agricola cross in 2023.

Shee has had dozens of solo and group exhibitions during his career, both in Finland and abroad.