What is mine to do
EXHIBITION
31.11..2022 ~ 27.01.2023
When I finished art school in 2012, we students had a group exhibition in Myötätuuli galleria, Raahe. That was the first exhibition for me and my etchings.
This year it’s been 10 years since that, and I’m back at the same gallery. Now with my own exhibition, called ‘What is mine to do’. Showing the art I’ve made during those years.
The exhibition has sets of my artwork, sorted by medium.
In the beginning, for few years I focused solely in intaglio printmaking. And I have been making prints every now and then ever since. The pace has definitely slowed down due health reasons and lack of proper studio space. I still manage to do them alright - Press sits in my livingroom - but it’s not that convenient.
Tempera is a medium by which I paint my paintings. Egg yolk and dry pigments. I like to mix it with other mediums as well, like colored pencils, collage and goldleaf.
Graphite drawings. Few years ago I was inspired by graphite artists in Instagram and gave it a go. Love graphite. Love mixing it with a little gold and ink as well.
Digital collage was born after I wanted to color my graphite drawings digitally. My mooncalendars are the root cause of anything digital. I love the playfulness of digital. Making it is also less straining on the physique.
And lastly ecoprints. This summer I got into cooking some paper with leaves and flowers. Inspired by Instagram again. Absolutely love it. I like how the print is never what you expect. It’s a co~creation. The beauty of the basic organic matter. Shapes, colors.
Name of the exhibition
Is a consept I have heard my favourite thinker, Charles Eisenstein use many times.
I used to question if art could indeed be important, meaningful work. Does world really need art.
And is it what I should be doing. I guess it was part of my overall search for meaning and purpose.
There is so much STUFF already. Earth is drowning in unnecessary human made things, so much it suffers for it. I don’t wish to add to her suffering.
Over time. People who expressed that my art had a meaning to them. Were part of the answer. I also liked doing it. And it was easy. Re-connecting to myself also helped. There was always this pull towards arting. Trusting the inner compass to begin with could have saved me from years of uncertainty.
Another important part of the journey to accepting art as mine to do. Is the slow undoing of programming that told me that productivity under laws of capitalism is the only measure for value/meaning/purpose. For person or activity. Even if its detrimental to the planet, nature and to us humans, its still better than something that doesnt cash in to the cashbox.
Distancing from that kind of thinking helps.
C.E. talks about ‘ The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible’. I strive for that and my work is part of it.
Milestone
I now have given 10 years of my life to art. Where did it take me.
Let’s just say that it took me to this inner journey. Process that is such a mystery. You dont even know you’re in process, until afterwards.
Art process is not merely a process of doing art. It has severe impact on the maker as well. And that’s the most interesting part to me.
10 years is a milestone. It makes you look back. it makes you think what next. How long can I do this. Or even want. Because it’s so hard. I have reached a point where I don’t even care that much. Come what may.
I’m quite happy with my portfolio. The imaginary world that is my art.
Spirit
I was interviewed to the Raahe newspaper and the reporter asked what the gold meant. And i didn’t have a straight answer at first. I mentioned energy and light, and was like yeah what IS it?? :D
But at home I realised it’s spirit. It’s the simplest word for it. And most of all I like to describe my art as spiritual art.
And imaginative realism. It’s the reality I can imagine, the invisible one.
The original thought
I have this feeling that back in the day, when printmaking became a thing in the world, it was used to print these spiritual quotes, prayers and images that even the poorest could have in the wall of their home. Since for a long time art and books were something only rich could afford.
I don’t know why it appeals to me so much.
The idea of having one elevating image in your home. That could be a daily reminder, every time you would walk past it. That there is more to it. There is light.
This is basically what I have always wanted to do. Create elevation.
My original thought 10 years ago and still is.
I want my art to lift spirits. And or create a moment of concentration - perhaps looking at the many details :D - when they are free and flowing.
Like meditation.