Tarmo Thorström

Bobbin lace for the 21st century

• Tarmo's works are often confused with macramé, but they are bobbin lace
• His craft is about patience
• He has introduced new materials such as jute

Tarmo Thorström studied bobbin lacemaking and enjoyed the teaching of the now late master, Impi Alanko. However, it took several years before he took up his calling professionally. His artistic awakening happened in 2008 when he decided to design and create a lace tie. Through trial and error this process made him fall in love with lace making. Tarmo comes from the town of Rauma, the historical centre of bobbin lace making in Finland. Today, he feels his mission is to popularise bobbin lace making as a medium for art and not only as a functional craft. Studying old patterns and local lace history, Tarmo is adaptating bobbin lace to the 21st century by engaging new materials with the traditional technique. Starting a business in 2010, his modern tool kit also includes 3D modelling and lasers.

Interview

©Hans_Lehtinen

©Tarmo_Thorstrom

What are your sources of inspiration?

Philosophy and nature. To describe it broadly, lace is about what is missing. Without holes it would be fabric. Thus, lace is, in a sense, only an illusion in our minds. A culturally invented concept.

Is there a special moment you recall along your professional path?

In 2019, my book called Modern bobbin lace making was published. I put all my experience and knowledge into that book and I am still very proud of it. Now I have a lot of new material in my head so that a second book could be made.

Could your craft be considered in danger?

Yes, it is already in danger. The age distribution of bobbin lace makers – in Finland and most likely also globally – shows alarming signs that the majority of people practising it are over 60. Only very few new, young people want to learn the craft.

What is a surprising fact about your craft?

Bobbin lace is bobbin lace no matter what scale. People often interpret my big works as macramé. But, of course they are not macramé, they are bobbin lace.

Tarmo Thorström is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2005

Works

©Hans Lehtinen

©Tarmo Thorström

©Tarmo Thorström

©Ritva Tuomi

Where