Jorie Johnson enjoys designing, producing and wearing her unique handmade woolen felt creations. Introduced to the traditional textile technique in Finland, in 1977, by learning to make Scandinavian felt boots, Jorie was immediately enchanted by the magic and power of felting.
Jorie grew up in the household of a wool and fiber merchant and studied textile design for industry at RISD (USA) and KOTO (Finland). While on a whimsical 3-month tour of Japan in 1987, she decided that twelve weeks simply was not long enough, and she’s lived there ever since. It was in Kyoto, Japan, that she re-established her textile studio and trademarked the name Joi Rae.
After studying industrial textile design (weaving and printing) for fashion and interiors Jorie found her compatible expression in fiber through the traditional medium of feltmaking.
Her combination of rich colors and layering techniques, working various materials such as silk, rayon, and mohair into the felt product, results in warm, one-of-a-kind autumn, winter and spring clothing and accessories for the discerning collector.
Jorie has developed her own innovative expression of the 8,000-year-old central-Asian technique of feltmaking–felt being the first textile created by man. Jorie exhibits her contemporary feltworks in galleries, shops, and museums around the world.
Jorie generally takes time off from her studio work during the spring semester to lecture at various institutions. She holds a part-time lecturing post in the Textile Design Department of the Kyoto University of Art and Design. During the summer months, to escape the heat and humidity of Kyoto, she travels on research expeditions to learn more about traditional felting from different cultures. She attends international felt symposiums and gives workshops about contemporary surface- and design-technique developments in feltmaking.
Selected Resume
Education
| 1983-1984 | The Aalto University of Art and Design (formerly Helsinki University of Art and Design UIAH), Finland, Department of Interior Architecture |
| 1977-1978 | Pohjois-Savo Polytechnic, Kuopio Academy of Design (formerly KOTO), Finland, Department of Textile Design |
| 1976-1977 | Rhode Island School of Design, RI, USA; Department of Textile Design |
| 1972-1974 | Wheaton College, MA, USA; Liberal Arts including Studio Arts, Early Childhood Education, French |
Significant Milestones
| 2000-present | Kyoto University of Art and Design, adjunct lecturer, Department of Textile Design; Feltmaking techniques. Also seminars at Tama Art University, Tokyo; Tohoku University of Art & Design, Yamagata; Tokyo University of Art & Design, Tokyo |
| 2007 | Co-author of Fabulous Felted Scarves, Lark Books, Sterling Publishers, USA |
| 2006 | Feltmaking and Wool Magic, Contemporary Techniques and Beautiful Projects, English edition, Quarry Books, Quayside Publishing Group, USA (Estonian edition, Tormikiri 2009) |
| 1999 | Author of Feltmaking – Wool Magic, Seigensha, Kyoto (third printing 2001.5) |
| 1997-1999 | Kyoto College of Art, adjunct lecturer, Departments of Textile and Fashion Design; Feltmaking. |
| 1997 | JOI RAE TEXTILES trademark received, Japan. |
| 1988-present | Residing and working in Kyoto, Japan. Textile design studio and production of works for exhibition; lecturing and teaching various feltmaking workshops for institutions and private students in Japan and around the world; researching Japanese traditional and contemporary textiles. |
| 1985-1986 | The Aalto University of Art and Design (previously UIAH), Helsinki, Finland. Printing Master and Teacher’s Assistant in the Textile Department. Overall management of textile printing studio. |
| 1984-1985 | Kuopio Academy of Design, Savonia University of Applied Sciences (previously KOTO), Kuopio, Finland. Full time teacher of textile design for woven and printed fabrics, including silkscreen and special printing techniques instructor. |
| 1979-present | Principal of Joi Rae Textiles established in Boston, MA, USA. A textile design studio concentrating in unique handmade fabrics, accessories and carpets. |
| 1978 | Marimekko Oy, Helsinki, Finland. Work/study program for fabric production in a variety of color ways with professional assistance and construction into final garments. |
| 1977 | Cone Mills Marketing Co., NYC., USA Work/study program in the Women’s and Children’s Wear textile design studio; drawing techniques and color-ways. |
Private Collections
| Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, NYC, USA | Kansai Yamamoto Inc., Tokyo, Japan |
| de Young Museum, San Francisco, USA | Denver Art Museum, CO, USA |
| Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA | Nuno Corporation, Japan |
| Iwatate Folk Textile Museum, Tokyo, Japan | Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK |
Publications
| 2011 | “500 Felt Objects: Creative Explorations of a Remarkable Material,” by Nathali Mornu, Lark Crafts, S.C. USA |
| 2002 | The Fiberarts Book of Wearable Art, by Katherine Duncan Aimone, pp. 140-143, Lark Books, S.C., USA “Challenges of Contemporary Textile Designers,” Ginka, no. 132, Winter, pp.31-33, Bunka Shuppan Kyoku “Jorie Johnson: Coaxing Fashion from Felt,” by Katherine Duncan Aimone, Fiberarts Magazine, Mar/Apr Vol. 28,no. 5, pp.30-34, Altamont Press, S.C., USA Making Beautiful Beads, contributing artist, pp7-25, Lark Books, S.C., USA “Kyoto by way of Kuopio,” RISD Views, Vol. 88 no.4 June, p. 24, RI, USA |
| 2001 | “Jorie Johnson’s Wool Magic,” Senshoku Alpha, 2001/8, no. 245, Kyoto, Japan |
| 2000 | “Adult Education Series: Handmade Fabrics,” Heibonsha, Tokyo, Japan Filz Felt- Art, Crafts and Design, Arnoldsche Art Publishers, Germany “Enchanted by Wool”, Nice Life vol. 23, winter, Yubinchokin Shinkokai, Japan “Making Fabric: Wool Magic in Free-form”, Mrs. Magazine, Feb., Bunka Shuppan Publishing Co., Tokyo, Japan |
| 1999 | Feltmaking-Wool Magic, written by Jorie Johnson, Seigensha, Japan The Fiberarts Design Book VI, Altamont Press, USA |
| 1998 | “Virtuoso! Goes to Great Lengths at Convergence 98,” Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot Magazine, USA “Ever Changing Unrestricted Felting,” Keitodama, Japan |
| 1997 | “Feltmaking:Three Dimensional Magic, Jorie Johnson” Dyeing & Weaving Magazine, Japan |
| 1996 | Felt, New Directions for an Ancient Craft, by Gunilla Sjoberg Interweave Press, USA “New Lines, A Collection of Clothing,” Fiberarts Magazine, USA |
| 1995 | “Jorie Johnson’s World of Felt,” Textiel Plus Magazine, The Netherlands |
| 1994 | Tova, Gammal Teknik Pa Nytt Satt, by Gunilla Sjoberg LTs Foelag Ab, Sweden “Yllaa tyksia Huopamaastossa,” TAITO, Kasi-ja Taideteollisuuslehti, Finland FILT, Kunst, Teknik, Histoire, by Annette Damgaard Forlaget Horedland, Denmark “An International Language. A Portfolio of Contemporary Felt,” Surface Design Journal, USA |
| 1992 | “Feltwork:Form as Freedom,” Magazine for Crafts & Artware with Life, Japan |
| 1991 | “Interesting Feltmaking Techniques; Part I and Part II, Senshoku Alpha (No. 126 and 127) Japan ”Won’t You Wear a Hat?-Welcome to Feltworks,” Interior & Handmade, Japan |
| 1982 | The Fiberarts Design Book II, Altamont Press, USA |
Selected Solo Exhibitions
| 2013 | “Wind Shields,” Jorie Johnson Exhibition, Gallery Nishikawa, Kyoto “Intertwined, Jorie Johnson Exhibition,” Gallery Kikyu, Higashi Okazaki, Aichi |
| 2003 | “Jorie Johnson,” Gallery Sofu, Shizuoka, Japan |
| 2002 | “Wool Magic,” Gallery Sou, Sendai, Japan “Passion,” Wacoal Ginza Art Space, Tokyo, Japan “Principles,” Ecru + HM, Ginza, Japan |
| 2001 | “neXus,” GalleryGallery, Kyoto, Japan “Jorie Johnson,” Gallery Nishikawa, Kyoto, Japan “Seamless,” Wacoal Ginza Art Space, Tokyo, Japan |
| 1999 | “Color Form Expression” Wacoal Ginza Art Space, Tokyo, Japan “Travel Tales,” Gallery Nishikawa, Kyoto, Japan |
| 1998 | “Felt Hats and Accessories,” Hipotesi, Barcelona, Spain |
| 1997 | “Welcome Winter,” Gallery Nishikawa, Kyoto, Japan |
| 1996 | “Opulence in Camouflage,” Wacoal Ginza Art Space, Tokyo, Japan |
| 1983 | “A Rug for the Wall or a Rug for the Floor,” Stockmann OY, Helsinki, Finland |
Selected Group Shows
| 2011 | Animal Fibers: Art Informs Shibori, 8ISS, Hong Kong Design Institute |
| 2002 | Japan Creations 2003, Textile Contest, Tokyo, Japan ”New Waves: New Techniques, New Materials,” (First Prize)HGA Convergence, Vancouver, Canada“Felt Crossing Borders,” Art Life Mitsuhashi, Kyoto, Japan |
| 2001 | Japan Creations 2002, Textile Contest, Tokyo, Japan “Secret Messages, Sacred Portals,” Santa Fe Weaving Gallery’s 20th Invitational Show, Santa Fe, N.M., USA Japanese Crafts 2001 Exhibition (’00,’96-’93,) Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Japan |
| 2000 | Japan Creations 2001, Textile Contest (Japan Textile Designer’s Association Award) Tokyo, Japan |
| 2000-2003 | “European Felt Art,” an international exhibition traveling in Germany and Finland |
| 2000-2001 | “New Directions- Art of the Feltmaker,” an international exhibition traveling the UK |
| 1999 | 6th International Textile Competition (ITF), Kyoto Cultural Museum, Kyoto, Japan |
| 1998 | “Small Expression,” Atlanta International Museum, Atlanta, Georgia, USA ”Virtuoso Fabrics Exhibition,” Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| 1997 | “In-vestments,” and “The Body Eclectic,” Spruill Center for the Arts, Atlanta, GA, USA |
| 1996 | “Hat Toss: A Celebration of Hats,” Joanne Rapp Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ, USA “Regards sur le feutre,” Le Musee du Chapeau, Chazelles-sur-Lyon, France “Headlines” Contemporary Headwear from the Functional to the Fantastic, Collins Gallery, Glasgow, Scotland “New Visions of Feltmaking,” Anne Kaiser Gallery, Chur, Switzerland |
| 1995 | Textile ’95 Miniature Works, Contemporary Art of Japan, Gallery Gallery, Traveling Exhibition Japan, Canada, Australia |
| 1994 | “Felt Exotica,” National Exhibition Centre, Castlegar,B.C., Canada “Felt Directions,” Collins Gallery, Glasglow, Scotland and Mouzon, France |
| 1993 | (’90) Asahi Modern Craft Exhibition, Osaka, Tokyo, Japan |
| 1992 | Textile Miniature Works, Contemporary Art of Japan, Gallery Gallery, Japan, Belgium, Canada “Ceramics, Felt, Metal,” Itami Crafts Center, Itami, Japan 1992 Itami Craft Competition (’91,’90) , Itami, Japan |
Shops that Carry Works or have represented Joi Rae Textiles
| Showcase Gallery, GalleryGallery, Kyoto, Japan |
| Design in Textiles by Mary Jaeger, NYC, USA |
| InStore, LongHouse Reserve, East Hampton, NY, USA |
| HunderwasserKunstHaus, Vienna, Austria |
| MAD (formerly American Craft Museum) Shop, New York, USA |
Awards
| 2002 | New Waves: New Techniques, New Materials, (First Prize) HGA Convergence, Vancouver, CanadaNew Materials, (First Prize) HGA Convergence |
| 2001 | Japan Creations 2002 Textile Contest (First Prize) Tokyo, Japan |
| 2000 | Japan Creations 2001 Textile Contest (Japan Textile Designer’s Association Award) Tokyo, Japan |
| 1998 | Virtuoso Fabrics Exhibition (First Prize) WGA Convergence, Atlanta, Georgia USA |
| 1993 | Takaoka Crafts Competition (Judges Award) Takaoka, Japan |
| 1993 | Farmer’s Fashion Design Competition (Outerwear Fabrics Top Award) Tama, Japan |
| 1993 | New Zealand National Woolcrafts Festival Exhibition (The Wool Board Award for the Best Work in Wool) Wellington, N.Z. |
Symposia
| 2012 | Textile Society of America, Textiles & Politics, Washington D.C., USA, workshop leader |
| 2011 | 8th International Shibori Symposium 8ISS, Technology Shaped by Creativity, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, invited workshop leader, exhibition co-curator of Animal Fibers: Art Informs Shibori |
| 2001 | International Felt Symposium and Exhibition, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |
| 2000 | “Felt Works- Entering the 21st Century,” Invited tutor, lecturer, and exhibition member, Skals, Denmark |
| 1999 | “Felt Wandering of the Midnight Sun,” Invited Tutor, Jamsa, Finland |
| 1998 | International Textilfest, Invited tutor, Waldviertal, Austria ”Hat Variation’s,” Invited artist and exhibition member, Lenzen Filtz Manufaktur, Lenzen, Germany |
| 1997 | “Make Friends,” First Georgian Textile Symposium, Lecturer and exhibition member, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia |
| 1996 | International Felt Symposium participant, Chur, Switzerland |
| 1995 | Artists and Ethnographers for Mongolian Felt II, Invited tutor, UlaanBaator, Mongolia |
| 1994 | “Felt, From Nomadic Tent to Office Oasis,” Invited tutor and exhibition member, The Nederlands Textielmuseum, Tilburg, The Nederlands |
| 1993 | “Felt Crossing Borders,” Invited tutor and traveling exhibition, Hamar, Norway, Kuopio, Finland |
| 1992 | Berliner Filtz Symposium I, Artist-in-residence, Lenzen Filtz Manufaktur, Lenzen, Germany |
| 1991 | “Experimental Felt Works,” Musee de Feutre, Invited artist, Mouzon, France |
| 1990 | International Felt Symposium and juried exhibition, Aarhus, Denmark International Felt Camp, Korro, Sweden |
| 1987 | International Felt Symposium, Keckemet, Hungary |
| 1986 | International Felt Symposium, Keckemet, Hungary |