Melina Finkelstein is an Oakland-based non-objective painter and rug designer who paints colorful, geometric patterns on fabric and wood, weaves tapestries out of old paintings and collaborates with a global community of artists and rug makers in Mexico and Nepal to make one-of-a-kind custom felt and flat weave rugs under her brand Melina Finkelstein Rug Co.Labs.
Selected Bio
2024 Renewal of the legacy Peace Industry (R) felt rug brand with an all-woman team in Kathmandu, Nepal trained by Finkelstein during a residency in April of 2024.
2022 Established the Melina Finkelstein Gallery located in Oakland, CA to showcase artwork by Finkelstein and artists who explore textile-based mediums.
2020 Established a partnership with master Oaxacan weaver, Alejandro Gonzalez to produce flatweave rugs designed by Finkelstein
2018 Invited to speak to The Friends of Islamic Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art NY about the Peace Industry felt project in Iran.
2002- 2019 Co-founded and served as the lead designer and creative director of Peace Industry INC, a boutique felt rug company made in Iran and designed by Finkelstein. Peace Industry INC was shuttered after US/Iran trade sanctions which ended all trade with Iran. Noteworthy collaborators include: Heath Ceramics, Steelcase, Alison Damonte Design. While in operation Peace Industry opened three retail locations in the Bay Area, two stores in Stockholm, Sweden and production facilities in Iran and Turkey.
@melinafinkelstein.artist
@peaceindustryrugs
