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Oka (Furnishing Fabric)

A work made of cotton, plain weave; screen printed.

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  • A work made of cotton, plain weave; screen printed.

Date:

1969

Artist:

Designed by Katsuji Wakisaka (Japanese, born 1944)
Produced by Marimekko Oy (Finnish, founded 1951)
Finland, Helsinki

About this artwork

Trained in Kyoto, Japan, Katsuji Wakisaka was the first non-Finnish designer to work for Marimekko, a Helsinki-based textile company that became known for embracing the cultural exuberance of the 1960s. Katsuji brought an energetic use of color and a playful style to designs featuring a wide range of themes, from Finnish forests to children’s drawings. The ultra-saturated blue, orange, purple, and red hills of his oka (straw) print present a dynamic view of the Finnish countryside while also reflecting the psychedelic color palette used in posters, fashion, and album covers of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Textiles

Artists

Katsuji Wakisaka (Designer) , Marimekko Oy (Producer)

Title

Oka (Furnishing Fabric)

Places

Helsinki (Object made in), Japan (Artist's nationality:), Finland (Object made in)

Date

Made 1969

Medium

Cotton, plain weave; screen printed

Inscriptions

Inscription (repeated on left selvage): KATSUJI WAKISAKA "OKA" ® MARIMEKKO OY SUOMI FINLAND 1969

Dimensions

309.5 × 138.1 cm (121 7/8 × 54 3/8 in.); Warp repeat: H.: 77.7 cm (30 5/8 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Marimekko, Inc.

Reference Number

1980.144

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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