Me and Harakka Island photographed by Juha Laitalainen, in June 2024. Thank you Juha for this souverir from a very special summer in my life.
VUODEN KUVITTAJA – ILLUSTRATOR OF THE YEAR 2024. I am deeply moved and honoured to receive this mention from my colleagues and representatives of Finnish illustrators. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Kuvittajat ry! <3
KULTAHUIPPU - GOLDEN AWARD was awarded for my wall illustrations for Pori Psychiatric Hospital Satapsykiatria by Grafia ry / Vuoden Huiput 2023. My thanks to the warm and supportive work group, this was one of the most meaningful assignments of my career. The work for our young people’s mental health needs all our support.
Artist in her studio, Suomenlinna 2023. Photo Kastehelmi Korpijaakko.
Honored to be nominated for Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2023. Thank you so much for the nomination, and thank you to everybody with whom I have had the chance and privilege to work for children’s literature, you are so many!
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Perfromance at Free Art School. Photo: Pinja Kanon
Picture book THE MAGIC FLOWER - TAIKURINKUKKA will be published in October 2022 by Etana Editions.
My solo exhibition MUSE ESCAPES was opened 6th October 2022 in Galleria Snow, Berlin. Exhibition is supported by Finnish Cultural Foundation and Frame.
My solo exhibition MUSE ESCAPES was opened 6th October 2022 in Galleria Snow, Berlin. Exhibition is supported by Finnish Cultural Foundation and Frame.
UNVEIL was handbound in Bookbinding V. & K. Jokinen by Louise Lybeck. The cover paper is from old archives of the bookbinding house, golden embossing with letterpress. Photo: Christian Jakowleff / The Most Beautiful Books.
The motif on the back cover embossing is based on a wood cut print by Marika Maijala. Photo: Christian Jakowleff / The Most Beautiful Books.
VOIMAELÄINTEN PARAATI - PARADE OF POWER ANIMALS. In 2022 I was one of the artists invited to create art for the new SATASAIRAALA hospital in Pori. Hospital will open in autumn 2023 and my illustrations will be covering the walls at the children’s psychiatric ward. This has been far most one of the most challenging and also meaningful projects of my career.
M/S CURIOSITY is a boat and an art project. Plan is to launch the boat on the eve of ARTISTS’ ISLAND exhibition in Harakka September 2023, to connect artists on different Helsinki islands. Marika working in Suomenlinnan Pursiseura with little assistant Inga. Photo Réka Király.
VELVET ASS performing July 5 in Lepakkomies, Helsinki as warmup for Let’s Eat Them. Photo: Jussi Karjalainen
New OIVA GALLERIA opened on Särkkä Island 28.5.2023. The first exhibition MERISILTA 28.5.-15.9.2023 shows work from Harakka Artists’ House artists. The gallery and exhibition are a collaboration between Merenkävijät ry, Harakka ry and Ravintola Särkänlinna. Work group for the exhibition was Marika Maijala, Kaisa Kauko/Merenkävijät, Päivi Maunu and Aoi Yoshizawa.
At the Madrid Bookfair in May 2023. With kind invitation from Instituto Iberoamericano de Finlandia Madrid I could meet readers at the bookfair and sign first Spanish copies of EL VIAJE DE ROSA - RUUSUN MATKA. Warmest thanks to Luisa Gutierrez who organised my trip and the exhibition Europa Ilustra at the institute.
Picture book THE MAGIC FLOWER - TAIKURINKUKKA was published in October 2022 by Etana Editions.
SKIN IS LIKE FEATHERS from exhibition MUSE ESCAPES.
LETTER FROM AUBERGINE is part of my solo exhibition MUSE ESCAPES that was opened 6th October 2022 in Galleria Snow, Berlin. Exhibition is supported by Finnish Cultural Foundation and Frame.
CONVERSATION WITH A MUSE from exhibition MUSE ESCAPES. Risoprinted zine, 16 pages. Printed in Vallilan Risopaja.
Marika performing in the opening of exhibition MUSE ESCAPES 6th October 2022 in Galleria Snow, Berlin. Song JOSTAIN MUUALTA is part of LIEDER FÛR VERLORENE MUSEN -performance series. Exhibition is supported by Finnish Cultural Foundation and Frame.
I started painting studios in Free Art School Helsinki autumn 2021. Free Art School is a well known and valued art school which focuses in teaching painting and drawing, by top Finnish painters. My studies will continue in the autumn 2022.
UNVEIL is an artist book about a dream of MARCEL. Poetry, images, graphic design and reproduction by Marika Maijala, risoprinting by Vallilan risopaja/Misa Asanuma, binding by Kirjansitomo V. &.K. Jokinen/Louise Lybeck, 2021. The book was awarded with Beautiful Book -award of Finnish Book Art Committee 2021 and with Silver Award in Best of Finnish Advertising and Design 2021. Photo: Christian Jakowleff / The Most Beautiful Books.
Images were printed in risoprinting house Vallilan risopaja with one, two and three colors. Photo: Christian Jakowleff / The Most Beautiful Books.
The text is a poem based on a dream dreamt one night during the first pandemic spring 2020. Photo: Christian Jakowleff / The Most Beautiful Books.
I am honoured to be one of the nominated candidates of Finland for ASTRID LINDGREN MEMORIAL AWARD 2022. Congratulations to all the nominees!
Installation MERMAID RESEARCHER’S STUDY in the exhibition TAITEILIJOIDEN SAARI - ARTISTS’ ISLAND 9.8.-26.9.2021. You can find more of this project under “Exhibitions”.
Our exhibition TAITEILIJOIDEN SAARI - ARTISTS’ ISLAND - KONSTNÄRERNAS Ö was reviewed in Helsingin Sanomat 16.8.2021 by Sanna Lipponen. I took part in the exhibition with an animation film MERMAID STUDIES, music by Ville Laaksonen, and an installation MERMAID RESEARCHER’S STUDY.
From the opening scene of the animation film MERMAID STUDIES (2021). Music for the film is composed and performed by Ville Laaksonen. Work in progress. Thank you for support Finnish Cultural Foundation. You can watch the opening scene here.
The poster for the exhibition TAITEILIJOIDEN SAARI - ARTISTS’ ISLAND - KONSTNÄRERNAS Ö (Harakka Island 10.8.–26.9.2021) I made in collaboration with Harakka-based artist Osmo Kivimäki. Image artwork is created with stencil work by Osmo and colours inspired by Osmo’s colorworld as well as our islandferry Piper.
NIGHT IN BOLOGNA. Jacquard woven cotton, 2022.
Trailers of
LE CHAT CACHÈ and PIANO EN FUITE published by Versant Sud Jeunesse. Animation and direction Camille Van Hoof and Muscat Litschi.
KOM HIT DÅ! is a story about three siblings waiting for a new sibling. Picture book is written by Klara Persson and published by Rabén & Sjögren (2021). In the illustrations I tried to capture the poetry in our everyday lives. Visit the book’s homepage here.
View from my exhibition VISITORS that took place 1.-6.6.2021 in Lennätin Gallery on Harakka Island. I filled the gallery with. drawings and paintings, as well as a jaqcuard woven art rug NIGHTVEIL and a risoprinted artist book UNVEIL. In the trunk there was a sound piece INVISIBLE DRAWER, a collaborative work of art with artist Kastehelmi Korpijaakko.
NIGHTVEIL Jacquard woven cotton rug, 2021.
Illustrations for the new srategy of KONEEN SÄÄTIÖ, published in April 2021.
My thoughts on the picture book ROSIE’S JOURNEY , writing and illustrating in Picturebook Makers Blog.
State Award of Illustration Art 2020.
The ALMA list is one of the most comprehensive lists of the world's foremost living children's book creators and reading promoters. I am so honoured to be one of the Finnish candidates on the list, thank you for the nomination. I would not be who I am today without books and friends I found in children’s literature as a child trying to find my way in this life.
The new central library of Helsinki, OODI, was opened in December 2018. I was one of the illustrators invited to design a carpet for the 3rd floor of the library. My carpet is called “Satumatto” (“Tale Carpet”) and I wanted to picture in it my interpretations of some characters of our folktales. They are just as varied, different and unique as the visitors of the library.
UNVEIL is a self-published book about a dream I had one night. It was printed in the risograph studio Vallilan risopaja. Book will come out in February 2021.
My first wallpaper collection was launched in Photowall this spring, so happy about this collaboration! The collection also includes posters and wall murals like THE BOAT AND THE BALLOON in the picture.
ROSIE’S JOURNEY is selected in The White Ravens Database in 2020, among “the 200 books from 56 countries in 36 languages that stand for something special, something outstanding, something unusual and extraordinary”. This year Rosie’s Journey was the only Finnish book chosen on the list. Extract from the database description: “Wax crayons are the favourite drawing tools of many children, but illustrators rarely use them. Why is that? As Marika Maijala shows in her picture book “Ruusun Matka”, they work really well. Even with this “simple” medium, she draws accurately; and at the same time, the wax crayons lend the illustrations an expressive vitality.”
ROSIE’S JOURNEY (RUUSUN MATKA) in TAIWAN DESIGN MUSEUM exhibition Luonnonläheinen elämä – Finnish Design taking place 11.8.-8.11.2020. Rosie-illustrations are exhbited side by side work of Tove Jansson, Erik Bruun, Alvar Aalto, Werklig and other legendary artists of Finnish design. Photo: Taiwan Design Museum.
ROSIE’S JOURNEY continues in Korea by Munhakdongne Publishing!
My second book SUDEN HETKI came out in April 2020. Suden hetki is a story about loneliness, first shy steps in a friendship and joys of discussion and gardening, among other things. You can purchase the book for example in Etana Editions Shop.
Workgroup Inchoco-Maijala-Laaksonen in the online premiere of WE ARE IN THE SAME BOAT, animation film with two musical scores. Composer Mark Inchoco took part in the premiere from his home in Los Angeles, composer Ville Laaksonen was hosting the event on Harakka Island and animation artist Marika Maijala joined the meeting on a small island in Porkkala.
Ciné Harakka was an exhibition and film theatre I created in Kasematti Gallery. Both versions of WE ARE IN THE SAME BOAT were shown nonstop during 3 weeks in July 2020. Exhibition also showcased my original illustrations for the film.
NEREIDES (2020) is taking part in UNRAVELING, home exhibition organised by Antonia Hamberg 30.9.–21.10.2020.
Exhibition NIGHT TIME DRAWINGS and FAIREST ISLE -concert in Lennätin Gallery in August 2020.
Score by Mark Inchoco
ABLE happening on Harakka island was the main event in ISLAND REHEARSALS. Aoi Yoshizawa, Marika Maijala and Petra Vehviläinen covering the C in Cable sign. Photo: Lotta Djupsund.
Score by Ville Laaksonen
I organized a concert evening FAIREST ISLE in Lennätin Gallery together with soprano Helianna Herkkola and lutist Mikko Ikäheimo. Helianna and Mikko performed songs of Purcell and Dowland.
My book RUUSUN MATKA (Etana Editions 2018) was chosen among dPICTUS 100 outstanding picturebooks 2020.
The 2nd illustrations and images exhibition of China-EU in Shanghai October 2019. Organized and curated by Wensi Zhai and Aixia Li.
GALLOP is a sketch for an animation film (2019).
Päivi Heikkilä-Halttunen’s review of SUDEN HETKI in her children’s literature blog Lastenkirjahylly April 2020.
Five stars for our book JOULU JUKSAA in Helsingin Sanomat 1.12.2019! The review is written by Susanna Laari.
My first book RUUSUN MATKA (Etana Editions) was published 2018. The Swedish edition ROSIE SPRINGER (Förlaget) was published simultaneously. Following years the book will be travelling at least to France, Taiwan, China, Italy and South-Korea.
RUUSUN MATKA - ROSIE SPRINGER was nominated for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize 2019 at the Bologna Book Fair.
Release of the third book in Filippa&Co. series JOULU JUKSAA with writer Juha Virta and Jenni Erkintalo and Réka Király from Etana Editions at the Helsinki Book Fair 2019.
MILLION BILLION SANTA CLAUSES (Schidts&Söderströms 2014), a philosophical Santa Claus fairytale written by Hiroko Motai and illustrated by me, has been now published in more than 10 different languages, for example Swedish, English, German, French, Chinese, Japanese and Danish. The following year several new countries receive their Santas :).
At the Annantalo in Helsinki August 2019, Toukan Lastenkirjafestari with RUUSUN MATKA. Preparing for “taskari”, the story of the book translated into music and dance. These collaborative dancing sessions for families were created by dancer-pedagog Kaisa Hahl and students of dance.
I was awarded Rudolf Koivu Prize 2019 for the illustrations of Ruusun matka. The prize is awarded every second year by Grafia for the best Finnish children’s book illustration. This year the exhibition was held at the Helsinki Book Fair. I have been awarded the Rudolf Koivu Prize two times. The previous medal is from the year 2009 for the illustrations for Hannu Mäkelä’s book VAUVAUNIA.
In the exhibition PAR ICI, PAR LÀ in Lennätin Gallery in June 2019 I showed animations and illustrations inspired by the time I spent in Paris residency. And the secret manuscript for my next picture book!
Listening to Mark Inchoco in Lennätin Gallery June 2019.
At the Bologna Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition 2019 with illustrator Laura Merz.
Bologna Book Fair 2019, Illustrators Exhibition.
Inspiring three months in Cité des Arts in Paris in the beginning of the year 2019.
I held three picture book workshops for children in Nordic Culture Point in Helsinki in September 2019. I plan to continue developing workshop ideas for children and young people especially about making picture books and creating your own stories.
In the opening of our exhibition MARIKA MAIJALA / MARIA HERREROS with Veera Pekkinen, the curator of the exhibition. Galleria Mattson&Mattson 14.11.-14.12.2019. MARIKA MAIJALA / MARIA HERREROS was an exhibition and concept created by curator Veera Pekkinen, bringing together works of two artists inspired by Paris. Photo: Leena Kisonen.
Singer-songwriters Ville Laaksonen and Lea Lu performing in Lennätin Gallery on Harakka Island in June 2019. We all met in Cité des Arts Paris and the concert was our artistic reunion.
Inspired by the time in Cité des Arts Paris, American musicologist, composer and conductor Mark Inchoco composed his first piece for orchestra, FANFARE FOR MARIKA. Digital premiere of the fanfare was in Lennätin Gallery in June 2019. Mark took part in premiere from his home in Los Angeles via skype call.
Bologna Book Fair 2019, Illustrators Exhibition and the notes from the jury.
Mark Inchoco, Ville Laaksonen and Helianna Herkkola on Champs-Elysees 2019.
ROOM 327 in Harakka island Artists’ House is the first studio of my own. The photo is from the publication celebrating the 30th birthday of the artists’ colony on Harakka island. Photo: Kastehelmi Korpijaakko.