Mari Koppanen is a Finnish designer currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Artistic Research at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts. With a background in clothing and furniture design, she is dedicated to incorporating ethical, environmental, and social dimensions into her work.
Her primary focus revolves around biomaterials, particularly in the artistic exploration and advancement of materials derived from fungi. Koppanen’s design portfolio encompasses various mediums such as furniture, textiles, pottery, and biomaterials, highlighting her versatility and commitment to pushing the limits of contemporary design.
2021 - Present
Ph.D. Candidate in Artistic Research, Oslo National Academy of the Arts
2017-2019
Master’s Degree, Interior Architecture and Furniture Design, Oslo National Academy of the Arts
2014-2017
Bachelor’s Degree, Furniture Design, LiU Malmstens
2009-2012
Vocational Degree, Artisan Clothing and Fashion, Pirkanmaan käsi- ja taideteollisuusoppilaitos
2023 The Finnish Cultural Foundation
2022 Asko Foundation Grant
2022 European Commission, Worth Partnership Project
2021 Arts Promotion Centre Finland, State Artist Grant
2020 Asko Foundation Grant
2019 Designers’ Saturday Best Talents Award, 1st and 2nd place
2019 FKDS, Fund for Art and Design Students, Best MA Project of the year
2019 Asko Foundation Grant
2018 Ruohonjuuri Fund
2018 Huonekalusäätiö (Foundation)
2016 Travel grant, Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland
2016 Asko Foundation Grant
2023 Textile Design Now, Centre de Design, Montreal, Canada (runs until February 2024)
2023 Innovationlabs: Future Materials Bank, Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven, Netherlands
2023 Designers Saturday, Oslo Event Hub, Oslo, Norway
2023 EU Worth Partnership Project, Fuorisalone Milan Design Week, Milan, Italy
2023 Furniture & Light Fair, Greenhouse, Stockholm Design Week, Sweden
2022 ISOLA Materialized, Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven, Netherlands
2022 What’s the Matter?, Oslo National Academy of the Arts, Oslo, Norway
2022 Incantatio Mundi, Romanian Design Week, Iasi, Romania
2022 Change to exchange, Bern, Switzerland
2022 A Baby A Beast, Oslo National Academy of the Arts, Oslo
2022 Habitare Talentshop, Helsinki, Finland
2019 Designers’ Saturday, Best Talents, Oslo, Norway
2019 Avgang, Oslo National Academy of the Arts, Oslo, Norway
2019 YOU’RE NOT TO… - Deichman Main Library, Oslo, Norway
2018 NÅT NORDIC - China Furniture Industry Expo, Nankang, China
2018 YOU’RE NOT TO - Fuorisalone Milan Design Week, Milan, Italy
2017 DESIGN IN PINE - China International Furniture Fair, Shanghai, China
2017 DESIGN IN PINE, Furniture & Light Fair, Stockholm, Sweden