Alf Larsson:

Juha Koskela

Goldsmith, Designer,

Master of Fine Arts

Finnish goldsmithing has long traditions, particularly regarding modern jewellery from the early 20th century, and as an important part of the Scandinavian jewellery concept. Juha Koskela is a successful interpreter and developer of this tradition, in the current time when contemporary Finnish jewellery design is changing strongly. It warms the Finnish heart that Juha Koskela travelled to Washington University (1975-1976 and 1980-1982)
to study an innovative silversmithing technique, developed in the USA since the 1960s by the Finnish professor and silversmith Heikki Seppä.

A jeweller is designer, and expert in materials, their behaviour and the techniques of craftsmanship. These characteristics are well illustrated by Juha Koskela’s work. He emphasises strongly that technical skills create possibilities for the development of new forms. Whilst in the USA Juha Koskela became one of the few professionals mastering the Anticlastic Raising technique. He has received recognition for his work in this field in Finland and abroad.

His return to Finland in the mid-1990’s was well-timed with the rise of a new generation of Finnish goldsmiths. Juha Koskela shared their views on combining traditional techniques with modern manufacturing methods.

Union Design was founded in Helsinki at the end of 1990s, offering a good foundation for goldsmiths to develop further in the field. It was a natural transition for Koskela to join Union Design, respected as he is by his colleagues, for his professionalism, creative work as a goldsmith and as an artist. This kind of recognition
is not easily gained in Finland where the level of workmanship and quality is very high. Juha Koskela uses anticlastic raising method, which gives his jewellery soft, organic forms. His jewellery reflects an inner calmness.

A good and well-made piece of jewellery requires depth or a message. In time every piece of jewellery becomes meaningful to its wearer or owner, but at its best it already speaks to the viewer from the showcase.
A good quality piece of jewellery will last so that the story can be told to the next generations. Juha Koskela’s pieces do this with the quality of the forms and his workmanship. Juha Koskela is currently working in Isokyrö
in his own workshop. He continues to work with his individual style that he developed abroad and at home.

Alf Larsson

Master of Business Admin, Dipl.Gem., F.G.A.
Managing Director The Finnish Goldsmiths
Association

Curriculum Vitae

Juha Koskela

Goldsmith , Designer, MFA

Born in Kajaani 21.12.1957

Studies

1982 Master of Fine Arts

1980-82 Washington University, St. Louis, Mo, USA

1975-76 Washington University, St. Louis, Mo, USA

1976-79 Finnish School of Goldsmiths, Lahti

1974-75 Finnish School of Goldsmiths, Lahti

Working experience

2005- Juha Koskela Design, Isokyrö, Finland

1998-2005 Union Design, Helsinki, Finland

1994- Juha Koskela Designs

1986-94 Michael Good Designs, Rockport, Me, USA , designer

1982-86 Own workshop, Messilä, Lahti, Finland

1980 Ateljee Puistola, Kajaani, Finland

1975 Goldsmith A.Kaakinen, Kajaani, Finland

Exhibitions

2008 Konstin toukotyöt, Konsti Art and Design association, Varikko Gallery, Seinäjoki, Finland

2008 pro Koru II Ironinc. Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark

2008 Taito Itä-suomi 100th anniversary exhibition, Kenkävero, Mikkeli, Finland

2007 pro Koru II, 33 Finnish jewellery designers, Täky-Gallery, Lappeenranta, Finland

2007 Alma´s wedding, contemporary crafts, Vaasa City Art Gallery, Vaasa, Finland

2007 Titta vad vi kan ! Loftet House of Crafts, Vaasa, Finland

2006 Konsti kotona, Konsti Art and Design association , Konsti´s 20th anniversary exhibition, the Art Gallery, Seinäjoki

2006 Tuhansien pienten iskujen mies -Juha Koskela, the Ostrobothnian association of Arts and Crafts, Rustoopuori,

Seinäjoki, Finland

2005 Summer exhibition, Kassu Halonen taidetalo, Manamansalo, Finland

2003 Gold, Silver and Watch show, Copenhagen, Denmark

2002 Union Design, 5 years, Helsinki, Finland

2001 Union Design, the Craft Museum of Finland, Jyväskylä, Finland

2001 Muotoiltu brandi 2001, Design Forum, Helsinki, Finland

2001 Metals 2001, Fiskars, Finland

2001 Union Design , W.A. Bolin, Stockholm, Sweden

2000 “Shakespeare in gold” , Salo, Italy

2000 Find exhibition, Avignon, Bergen, Bologna, Bruxelles,  Helsinki, Krakov, Prague,

Reykjavik, Santiago de Compostela

1999 Union Design, Guldsmed Boye, Denmark

1999- 2002 Basel International Jewellery Fair, Switzerland

1996 Jewelers of America, Designer Gallery, New York USA

1995 Portland Craft Show, Portland, USA

1995 Jewelers of America, New Designer Gallery, New York, USA

1992 Maine Goldsmiths Show at Etienne´s, Camden, Maine, USA

1992 Silver -92, St. Louis, USA

1990,-91,-92 Camden Goldsmith association show, Camden, Maine, USA

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2006 Seinäjoki, Finland

1997 Etienne Gallery, Maine, USA

Awards

2000 Deutscher Schmuck- und Edelsteinpreis, Idar- Oberstein, honorary mention

1997 AGTA spectrum awards, 3rd prize

1996 Accent´s sterling silver design competition, 1st prize

Collections

The Crafts Museum of Jyväskylä, Finland OKO Bank of
Päijät-Häme, Lahti, Finland

Other

2003 Goldsmith of the Year 2003, Finnish association of Goldsmiths

2003-04 Unique design, unique jewellery -exhibition, Finnish association of Goldsmiths

2000 Union Design was awarded the State Prize for Design 2000 by the National Council for Crafts and Design