A portrait of Mrs Marimekko

 

Yes, we have seen her in numerous photos during all the years she was the CEO and the dictator of Marimekko. Her black dresses, her black cars, her black stilettos, her creative power and her strength of will. That volcano saved Marimekko when it was drowning after too many unsuccessful directors and economic decisions.
Now she is more or less retired, so it was time to immortalize her by painting her portrait and at the same time celebrating the company´s 60th anniversary.
Instead of a stiff and painfully formal painting so many portraits are the artist Marjatta Tapiola pictured Kirsti Paakkanen with airy brush strokes capturing well her elegance and posture of iron.
The portrait will be hanging in company´s headquarters but to the end of this year it is seen at Marimekko´s shop Marikulma, first floor, Pohjoisesplanadi 33, Helsinki.

Photo of the painting by Paavo Lehtonen.