Bio
I’m Janine Gerber Moser – artist and founder of ORAVA STUDIO FINLAND.
Born and raised in a mountain village in Switzerland, I grew up with a strong connection to nature, traditional craftsmanship, and quiet moments in nature. At the Swiss woodcarving school, I learned to craft with my hands – a foundation that still guides everything I do. For over 10 years I’ve lived and worked abroad – in Swedish Lapland, China, Iceland, Canada, South Africa, and settling down in 2018 in Finland. Each place shaped me deeply: In China, I discovered my love for ceramics. In South Africa, I learned to trust intuition while working in clay. The vastness of Iceland and Lapland taught me how to listen – to the world around me and to myself.
Today, I live with my partner and our three children on a traditional farm in western Finland that is open to stay for visitors from around the world during the warm summer months. It’s here, in my studio, where I create each ceramic piece by hand – slowly, quietly, in rhythm with the seasons.
My work brings together many worlds:
– a deep respect for traditional craftsmanship rooted in my Swiss heritage
– Nordic feel for aesthetic and inspiration from nature
– African warmth and a love for rhythm and movement
– and the Eastern philosophy of Wabi-Sabi – the beauty of imperfection.
Each piece carries traces of this journey – simplicity, presence, and a search for quiet natural beauty.
Janine Gerber Moser
Date of Birth: 09 April 1986
Instagram: @oravastudio
www.oravastudio.com
Education
- 2002 - 2006: School for Woodcarving in Brienz, Switzerland
- 2006 - 2007: The School for Visual Art in Bern and Biel/Bienne, Switzerland
Professional Experiences
2007 – 2008: Working as an Idea and Graphic Designer at BrainStore AG inBiel/Bienne, Switzerland.
2008 – 2009: Working as a Textile Designer at Création Baumann in Langenthal,Switzerland.
2009 – 2010: Engaging with the local Artist guild while living in Kiruna, Sweden.
2010: Working in snow and ice carving at the iconic Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi,Sweden.
2011 – 2012: Exploring Chinese culture and artistic ventures in Dalian and Beijing,China.
2012: 4 Months Artist residency and solo exhibition at Gullkistan in Laugarvatn,Iceland.
2012 – 2013: Crafting mosaics as a Maker for Mosaic Surface in Montreal, Canada.
2014 – 2015: Living in Uster, Switzerland-
2015 – 2018: Living in Durban, South Africa, immersing into the artistic environment, learning about culture, focusing on working with ceramics.
2018: Relocating to Laihia, Finland, setting the stage for settling down long term.
2019: Founding of Orava Studio, an artist studio, to channels creativity into everyday objects and works of art.
Exhibitions
2005 Symposium for woodcarving, Gitschenen Switzerland work ‘Wetterhexe’
2006 Kunstnacht Brienz, Switzerland, work ‘Glow’
2007 Kunstnacht Brienz, Switzerland work ‘Um den heissen Brei herum’
2008 Kunstnacht Brienz,Switzerland, work ‘Schrott nach Grossmutterart’
2008 CentrePasquart, annual group exhibition, Biel/Bienne Switzerland
Work ‘post it poetry’
2010 Group exhibition at Stadshuset of Kiruna Artists Guild.
Work ´Herkunft und Zukunft´
2012 Gullkistan Art residency, Laugarvatn Iceland, solo show ‘Far far away’
2012 Solo show ‘Far far away’ at Kemmeriboden Bad, Switzerland
2024 Founder of |MOTHERS IN ART RESIDENCY| at Ruutin Kartano, Finland
