Illustrations

A Little Big Story about Love - picture book published by Etana Editions

Storytelling

As a visual storyteller, I find it important to leave space for the reader to ponder and think. I believe that picture books can tackle even the most difficult topics. As such, they are both for kids as well as for adults. My first book was a collaborative adventure and it was published in 2011. Since then 11 books have followed, and many of them are translated to various languages.

A Little Big Story about Friendship / Etana Editions, 2017 / Copyright © Reka Kiraly and Etana Editions

My Friend the Tree by Jenni Erkintalo and Reka Kiraly (Etana Editions, 2019) / Copyright © Jenni Erkintalo, Reka Kiraly and Etana Editions

Archipelago - An Atlas of Imagined Islands, Edited by Huw Lewis-Jones (Thames & Hudson, 2019) / Copyright © Reka Kiraly and Thames & Hudson

Playing

Play and playfulness is a central element in my work. So often an underestimated notion, playing is essential in exploring, understanding and learning one’s self and surrounding. Through my work I invite people to play again, and remember the enthusiasm with what they observed things when they were children.

Storycubes / Interactive Installation / Finland / Copyright © Reka Kiraly

Scarf design for Bravery Co. / Copyright © Reka Kiraly and Bravery Co.

Jungle, Editorial Illustration / MAKI minimag / The Netherlands / Copyright © Reka Kiraly and Makiminimag

Unique pieces

Roots Exhibition 2.3.–25.5.2023 at Hanaholmen Cultural Center. In collaboration with Leena Kouhia, Tapani Rinne, Juha Mäki-Patola and Anna Järvinen.

RECENT Exhibition

“There is value in knowing your roots and heritage. The culture you come from, the history, inherited traditions, a family that knows its own history. Many people take this for granted, for others it is a lifelong search. Throughout history, people have moved, either by choice or by necessity. We seek better living conditions for future generations. Land areas are annexed, disorder and unrest force people to move. Ethnic cleansing, wars, environmental destruction, and many more circumstances lead to migration. As a result, traditions, family histories and roots are shattered. Identities and a sense of belonging are lost. At its worst, this causes generational traumas, that we carry. …This multi-sensory installation is a dialogue between artists through materials about their traditions and histories.”

New artworks - oil pastel and ink on paper © Reka Kiraly, 2022 (30X42cm / partly in private collection)

Vase no 1 - collaboration with ceramic artist Leena Kouhia © 2022 (ceramics, 30X45cm / In private collection)

My practice

When it comes to unique pieces my method of working is meditative. The works evoke the fragility of the present moment. Using ink on paper without planning in advance creates a process where you can’t hide anything. What I find beautiful in this, is that nothing gets erased, all small stains become part of the final piece.

Glasshouse Helsinki - mural, Copyright © Reka Kiraly, 2021 — Wall Mural © Reka Kiraly, 2021 (7X3,5m / Glasshouse Helsinki - permanent artwork)

RECENT work

Glasshouse Helsinki commissioned me to create a mural to their new premises in the heart of Helsinki. The 7m wide and 3,5m tall mural is a silent celebration of diversity. The artwork combines the imaginary plants of Kiraly with the plants of the Finnish forest that are already extinct or seriously endangered.

“Kiraly paints with a free-flowing, natural technique that fits the subject matter perfectly.”

– JANI NIIPOLA

Details - Glasshouse Helsinki, 2021

Lepidoptera No 5 © Reka Kiraly (Ink on paper, 61X41,5cm)

Lokal Helsinki - Summer Exhibition, 2021 / Helsinki, Finland — **Lokal Helsinki** - Summer Exhibition, 2021 / Helsinki, Finland

Kuvittajat ry - Imaginary Herbarium exhibition, 2020 / Helsinki, Finland (photo © Salla Keskinen & Kuvittajat ry)

Pattern designs

Inspiration

For further information on available designs or commissions please contact: rekakiralyillustrations@gmail.com

Often you can find that my abstract and floral pattern designs are inspired by the surroundings, shadows cast by the trees, a brush stroke on rough paper, a canola field by the road, or a spilled tea stain. I work with ink, brush, pen and pencil. I don’t use an eraser, but love to have a pair of scissors close by and plenty of paper to work with.

‘Wild Garden’ pattern for PAPU Design, 2023

“The Wild Garden pattern is about a secret garden of imaginary plants. It is a place where goodness is empowering and where the moments of the past, the present and the future intertwine, growing into one journey.”

https://papudesign.fi/collections/wild-garden

Moiko & Golden Herbarium

Glasshouse Helsinki - one of a kind clogs

Herbarium / Limited Edition Scarf / Made in Finland / Copyright © Reka Kiraly

Pattern design for children

Creating pattern designs for children’s products is like a small scale story telling. Often my repeat patterns are built up of several elements. My goal is to create patterns that can be a starting point of a conversation or a bed-time story.