Why should we live if we must die? It is one of the questions Danish artist Nikoline Liv Andersen puts us in this exhibition. With a plethora of bodies, thick fabrics, flowers and fruits, life’s transience is reflected upon, man in defense against death and the body in decomposition.

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Future archeologists will discover the textiles, etchings, and watercolors of Olivia Wendel and put them up in space museums to show 40th century people that 20th century people weren’t that primitive after all.

There’s something folk arty about JJ Cromer’s work, and it would certainly translate well onto textiles. If Joan Miro had spent time in Africa and set up shop in rural New Jersey, his work might look something like Cromer’s.

I loved Maija Louekari’s hand drawn illustrations even before discovering that she has worked as a freelance textile designer for Marimekko. Her HO-HOI! fabric topped the Textile design category at the Elle International Design Awards in 2006. Maija’s illustrations are made by hand, her favorite tools being fine felt tip pens, pencils, scissors and coloured paper.

Japanese artist Akiko Kino stitches the cutest, coziest images. Each piece feels like its own glorious quilt square, imbued with Kino’s abstract sense of design and bright, happy-go-lightly colours and patterns. This is the stuff dreams are made of. Literally.

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You may already be aware of Marimekko, a leading Finnish textile and clothing design company responsible for interior decoration textiles, bags and other accessories. Chances are some of you have a throw cushion or two with their bold signature poppy print. What I never realized was the range and scale of their product collections: from collaborations with designers from all around the globe to strong and distinctive product design and high end fashion. [check out also the 2Modern interior design website]