Priss Niinikoski, selected for the Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten residency, reflects on being between materials and mediums

Working at the intersection of technology, sound, and textiles, Niinikoski draws deeply on the histories of the women in her family. Her connection to textiles, in particular, is a generational thread.

”I come from a family of strong women, many of whom have worked professionally in textile industries all in different ways”, she says.

From a young age, textiles fascinated her – not so much the industry, but the material itself and its structures: “I remember thinking that learning to read knitting instructions was like learning a language – one that grew more and more complex as the pattern, like lace, became denser.”

At nineteen, Niinikoski enrolled in the prestigious fashion department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, renowned for producing the avant-garde Antwerp Six in the 1980s. The programme was both artistic and rigorous, with students evaluated annually and many dismissed. The experience taught her resilience and how to handle critique.

“The Academy is very special since students are trained more like artists than designers. But it was also like the army – only for fashion”, she recalls. “You might expect competitiveness among the students, but there wasn’t. We were all in the same boat, pushing ourselves over the limits and further together.”

Her time in Antwerp broadened her perspective. Immersed in an environment rich with artistic and theoretical influences, she became increasingly drawn to research-based practices. When struggling to connect artistic research and fashion one teacher encouraged her to think outside the box.

“I really was stuck in thinking that there was just one career ladder, but critically approaching it, I began to consider the possibility of becoming an artist.”

“It’s interesting that even working in the field [fashion], art is often used as a reference both visually but also methodologically. You actually study how different artists conceptually work and then translate that into a commercial wearable garment.”

From fashion to an interdisciplinary art practice

In 2021, Niinikoski was selected as one of the finalists at the International Festival of Fashion, Accessories and Photography Hyères, where she had the opportunity to show her collection to a wide network of industry professionals taking place in Villa Noailles, France. After the competition she had a short period working in the fashion industry, not too long to realise that the job really wasn’t a place to question prevailing systems.

“I felt that my interest in textiles and culture had to go deeper, I had many questions and wasn’t really getting answers, so I decided to look for them, that’s when I went on to dedicate my time for research and artistic practice.”

Niinikoski shifted her focus fully toward art, enrolling at the Academy of Fine Arts Helsinki. There, while studying sculpture she began combining textiles with electronics, sound and programming, while also developing an interest in performance.

“My practice is very research-based”, she says. “I’ve explored many directions because I want to learn from people across different fields. I think that’s a way to find new synergies.”

Amsterdam now offers new ground for connection.

Niinikoski is especially interested in engaging with the vibrant cultural field of Amsterdam and the strong academic presence of postphenomenology in the Netherlands – a philosophical approach that explores how technology mediates human experience and shapes our interactions with the world.

During her residency, she plans to build on the themes of communication, aesthetics of structures and acoustic performativity. She is particularly interested in how bodies take their places within a space, continuing to work with computational systems in sound and textiles. Perhaps her practice will take a political turn as right now Niinikoski is wondering whose voices are heard, why and how.

Saastamoinen Foundation residency artists of 2025

In 2025, Uniarts Helsinki alumni Anna Karima Wane, Lotta Hurnanen, and Priss Niinikoski were awarded Saastamoinen Foundation residencies in internationally renowned programmes. Each artist brings a distinct perspective to their practice, spanning community-based art, experimental film, and interdisciplinary research across textiles, sound, and technology. In a three-part interview series, these artists reflect on their journeys, the ideas driving their work, and what they hope to explore during their upcoming residencies.