This fall’s other stamps feature nature-themed graphic art, a little dreamer and literacy
The fall’s stamp season will begin next week as, on Wednesday, September 2, Posti will release four new stamp publications with a total of 13 different stamps. The stamps feature Tatu and Patu, graphic art that has won Posti’s art award and a painting of a little dreamer. In addition, September’s stamps celebrate the UN’s International Literacy Day.
Tatu and Patu are characters from a popular children’s book series that have also appeared on stage and silver screen. The duo’s latest conquest is stamps, where Tatu and Patu romp around in their own anarchic, uninhibited style.
Aino Havukainen and Sami Toivonen, the designers and illustrators of the stamps in the booklet, wanted to stretch the limits of traditional stamps and test technical tricks that have not been possible in the books. “This was a nice project as we were given quite a free hand in designing the stamps.”
“We started thinking how Tatu and Patu themselves would see this great honor bestowed on them and what they would do if they had the main responsibility for the project. No wonder that as a result of this weird duo, the stamps in the booklet are all topsy-turvy and there are holes and tears in the stamps,” say Havukainen and Toivonen.
The Tatu and Patu stamp booklet contains six different domestic no-value indicator stamps.
Janne Laine’s forest-themed art impresses
Stamps for this fall also showcase the nature-themed graphic art by Janne Laine, this year’s winner of Posti’s art award. Two images from Laine’s large body of work were chosen for the stamps. Sunset depicts sturdy spruces at sunset, behind which you can see dead trees. Duet features two dark forms of birds perching on a treetop against a background of light sky and reddish clouds.
Janne Laine, inspired by landscapes in Iceland, became interested in Finnish forests after he realized that the old-growth forest in Lavia he knew from his childhood had been cut down. “Since then, I have wanted use my works to create my own untouched forests where nature is in balance. For many, the forest is a holy place where you can feel a genuine connection to nature,” says Laine.
This spring was the fourth time Posti’s art award was presented. In 2019, the art award was presented to fashion designer Mert Otsamo. In 2018, it went to graffiti artist EGS and in 2017, it was awarded to sculptor Jasmin Anoschkin.
Posti’s art award 2020: Janne Laine will be issued as a 10-stamp sheet containing two different domestic no-value indicator stamp designs.
A Little Dreamer is reaching up
A Little Dreamer, designed by visual artist Netta Tiitinen, is based on a commissioned painting that depicts a girl who loves glitter and sparkles and who is reaching up. According to Tiitinen, the stamp and the painting reflect the courage, enthusiasm, curiosity and spontaneity of children.
“The painting chosen for the stamp belongs to the series of true-story paintings. Commissioned paintings are important for me because it is always great to paint real people and their life stories. It might even be the most valuable thing that an artist gets to do,” says Tiitinen.
The domestic no-value indicator stamp A Little Dreamer will be issued as a 10-stamp sheet.
Literacy develops thinking skills and empathy
Literacy is a human right that enables an individual’s development, education and utilization of their full potential. Literacy promotes understanding, tolerance and equality and develops critical thinking skills. This year, the UN’s International Literacy Day in early September is celebrated with stamps featuring a drawing-like design by Ilkka Kärkkäinen that presents four different figures.
Kärkkäinen summarizes the message of the stamps in one sentence: You are what you read. “I wanted to create people who have different styles and looks. The figures were created using letters, the foundation of literacy. In the stamps, you can see a gentleman wearing a monocle, a moody young person, a cool baby and a charming lady, for example. However, everyone will surely see the figures on the stamps in their own way, which is in fact the purpose.”
The Literacy and Reading miniature sheet contains four different domestic no-value indicator stamps.
Please note! Due to restrictions related to the coronavirus situation, Posti will not organize a first-day event for the stamps published in September.
Image material for the media: http://digilibrary.posti.com/l/9FRT6MC_RHXb
