Roots: An enchanting forest woven from branches of memory

Kustaa Saksi’s latest woven tapestry at the Institut finlandais captures the adventures of self-discovery, nostalgia, and nature

Roots by Kustaa Saksi at the Institut finlandais

On show in Paris from 7 November 2025 to 21 February 2026, Finnish artist Kustaa Saksi presents a monumental 15-metre tapestry. Using jacquard weavingwith delicate Japanese washi-paper yarns, he creates this beautifully whimsical piece of art and storytelling. The woven work evokes a weather-worn pine (called käkkärämänty), with its snow-drifted branches and exposed roots forming a rich fractal, dreamlike structure that attracts immediate attention.

Drawing from his childhood memories of wind-bent pines shaped by harsh weather on the islands of the Gulf of Finland, Saksi mimics their resilient yet twisted appearance in Roots. The uprooted tree becomes a symbol of dislocation and longing for home, mirroring human identity, memory, and our relationship with nature.

Roots by Kustaa Saksi

Saksi is known for his boundary-blurring textile work, weaving tradition with contemporary themes of altered perception. His other work, including series such as First Symptoms and Hypnopompic, explores liminal states between dreams, consciousness, and hallucinations. His use of materials, from soft alpaca wool to subtle phosphorescent (glow-in-the-dark) yarns, creates immersive visuals that linger long after viewing.

Roots stands out not just for its scale, but for its ability to emotionally resonate uniquely with each individual who looks at it.The pine, knitted heavy with memory and hung betweenearth and air, encourages the viewer to reflect on uprooting, belonging, and that fragile balance between resilience and vulnerability. After your visit, Saksi leaves you with that
angelic metaphor of identity, home, and what it truly means to be rooted.

Visit Saksi’s captivating forest now at the Institut finlandais, on display from 7 November 2025 – 21 February 2026.

Words by Libbi Kettle