Teemu Salonen, Tropicall Me, FI, 2025

We are pleased to debut Tropicall Me, a captivating new mirror by Finnish artist and designer Teemu Salonen, at the NOMAD St. Moritz art fair this February 2025. This unique piece continues Salonen’s signature exploration of material, form, and whimsical beauty, blending the tactile craftsmanship he is known for with cutting-edge 3D printing technology.

The Tropicall Me mirror features a striking pale blue, light turquoise frame, adorned with vibrant coral-like extensions at the top and surrounded by an assemblage of pastel flowers in hues of yellow, pink, blue, and orange. This design evokes a dreamy, tropical fantasy, inviting viewers to step into a world where reality and imagination intertwine. The playful title, Tropicall Me, speaks to the transformative power of design in elevating one’s environment and self. The mirror allows each viewer to envision themselves as part of this lush, vibrant world while looking at their reflection.

“This piece came together in the dead of Finnish winter, during the coldest and darkest weeks of the year—making its tropical excess feel even more absurd. That contrast, the tension between opposites, is something I always work with. However, by the time a piece is finished, it no longer matters what thoughts occupied my mind during its making. What remains is the work itself—an object where all this contradictory energy, humor, and absurdity are fused into a dead-serious display of craftsmanship.” Salonen explains.

Salonen’s creative process merges tactile craftsmanship with digital savoir faire. Drawing inspiration from both traditional artistry and modern technology, he has incorporated 3D-printed elements alongside hand-blown glass and ceramics to create this dynamic, layered piece. The use of 3D printing allows for the creation of highly detailed, translucent forms, while the extensive hand-finishing process ensures that each piece retains the artist’s signature tactile quality.

“Embodiment—the physicality of working, thinking, and experiencing the world through the body—is essential to everything I do. It’s not just about the handcraft aspect but also how ideas form through movement, touch, and the interaction between materials and the body. I don’t separate thinking from making; my ideas emerge through the act of sculpting, grinding, shaping, layering, and feeling the material resistance and transformation in my hands.” says the artist.

Salonen’s works, including the Tropicall Me mirror, playfully push the boundaries of contemporary design. Combining the elegance of classical design with the allure of kitsch and a touch of the fantastical, his work invites a deep sense of curiosity and wonder. As with his previous pieces, Tropicall Me continues to explore the balance between sophistication and ostentation, beauty and subtle menace.

3D Printed, Hand Sculpted Glass, Resin Silicone
64.57h x 61.42w x 17.72d in
164h x 156w x 45d cm