During our interview he describes his fascination with ceramics, which has always held a special place in Aromaa's heart, starting from his childhood. He rediscovered ceramics during an art residency in Kökar in the 2000s and eventually established his own workspace to further delve into the craft. The allure of ceramics lies in its unpredictable nature, where precise planning only goes so far, and the final results cannot be entirely controlled. Coming from an industrial design background, Aromaa incorporates structured shapes while relishing the freedom of the material's organic forms. For the past decade, his fascination has extended to the interplay between glass and ceramics, observing the transformative changes they undergo in the kiln.
Aromaa's Magic Pond reliefs epitomize the union of glass and ceramics. Using a moulded base for the glass, he carefully balances its shrinkage with a strong, shiny mass. The resulting artworks are created as individual works but are often collected by clients who create their own arrangements on the walls.
Beyond his personal workspace, Aromaa is an integral part of Studio Savea, a ceramics studio that fosters collaboration and creativity among approximately 20 artists. The shared ovens and exchange of ideas create a vibrant artistic community in Roihupello's art quarter. Aromaa's involvement in Konstrundan has been a rewarding experience, allowing him direct contact with visitors and valuable feedback that fuels his artistic work.
“You get direct contact with people and can talk about what you are doing and your own work. And more specifically, you get feedback that you might not get otherwise. For example, when I started mixing glasses and creating those abstract landscapes, I was very uncertain about the results and my doing. Then the first pieces were included in the studio during Konstrundan. Many people were really interested and paid a lot of attention to them, and from that, a drive was ignited to take my own work forward. It is rewarding to get another perspective on one's own work.”
Visitors to Aromaa's workshop during Konstrundan can expect a comprehensive showcase of his work. Alongside his regular pieces, they have the opportunity to explore unique trial pieces that are not available for sale in galleries—a chance to acquire one-of-a-kind creations that exemplify his artistic vision.