Marimekko director of communications Merja Paulamäki says that the company has also apologised to the traditional folk art museum in Kiev that has the original work. It appeared on Marimekko fabrics and was even featured on the livery of a Finnair plane before the resemblance was uncovered and reported by Helsingin Sanomat.
The firm’s Artistic Director Minna Kemell-Kutvonen said that Marimekko has apologised and now wants to take responsibility for the copy by buying the commercial rights to the work.
“We also started a discussion on the possibility of us supporting the museum in bringing a Maria Pryimachenko exhibition to Finland,” added Kemell-Kutvonen.
The news of Marimekko’s interest in purchasing the rights to Pryimachenko’s work was first reported by Ilta-Sanomat.
Helsingin Sanomat: Marimekko fabric design is copy of another work from 1963
