THE HOURGLASS
Artist Background:
Anne-Marie Kavulla of Pirtti Handwoven
September 15, 2015
Anne-Marie Kavulla photographed at the Whisper Studio by David Rinella
Kavulla's inspiration and a glimpse of the mathematical process behind creating each piece.
Inspiration behind Pirtti Handwoven's latest edition, The Valtemeri Scarf. Photograph by Julieanne Kost.
Kavulla of Pirtti Handwoven pictured here on her loom in Sleepy Hollow, NY. Photograph by Kristen Fortier.
Pirtti's past designs from a sold out edition.
A work in progress, Valtameri by Pirtti Handwoven.
Detail of a hemstitch.
Pirtti Handwoven loom room in Sleepy Hollow, NY.
Still Life of Kavulla's tools in her loom room.
The Pirtti Handwoven warping board.
Detail of the web.
Hand weaver and designer Anne-Marie Kavulla’s BFA in choreography led to an increased appreciation for the dimensional enhancement of costuming’s color and fabric. It’s this understanding, coupled with the meaning of Pirtti (a Finnish word which describes the main gathering room of a farm-house, conjuring “a feeling of community and comfort, a place to gather and make things,” says Anne-Marie) that has led to the creation of Pirtti Handwoven. Anne-Marie learned to knit from her grandmother in 6th grade; a family visit to Finland in her twenties was her introduction to the loom. Inspired by both the colors found in nature and in abstract art, Anne-Marie designs scarves out of natural fibers that are meant to be worn well and often; daily wear won’t take a toll—these pieces last. Because she makes all of her items by hand, Anne-Marie wants her customer to feel the human element of each piece. Knowing this and wearing these Pirtti scarves becomes a way to honor the very human process. Anne-Marie lives and works in Sleepy Hollow, New York with her family.