Here – Riikka Latva-Somppi

Riikka Latva-Somppi’s work present the amorphous quality of glass in its physical sense as well as a notion of a substance between material and idea. A spontaneous, indefinite form may be solidified in precious gold, often perceived as traditional and perfect, even holy. Used ready-made objects refer to the every day life. In the actual work- as well as in the process of making – theory evolves to an experience, may it be intellectual, a cultural connotation, a small amused insight or simply a forgotten memory that reaches the surface in a viewers mind.

”There are two main themes in my exhibition TÄSÄ / HERE; joy and sorrow. Both are present in everyday life, mixing to each other in small moments that may seem insignificant. These are the moments I have tried to express.”

Riikka Latva-Somppi is a visual and glass artist living in Helsinki, Finland. She works at the interface of applied and contemporary art using glass as her main medium. Latva-Somppi got her MA from The University of Art and Design, Helsinki 1995. She has also studied in Sheridan College, Ontario, Canada. Her work has been shown widely in Finland, Europe and North-America and she has work in various collections such as The State Art Collections of Finland, The Finnish Glass Museum, Jorvi Hospital and several private collections. The Foundation for Environmental Art (Finland) awarded her public art work Satakieli Näktergalen / Nightingale The Certificate of Honour for Environmental Art in 2009. Latva-Somppi is a member of Artists-O, Ornamo and an aspirant member of Association of Finnish Sculptors. She also works as a lecturer in Aalto University, curator and other assignments of expertise of he field.