Pori Art School Graduation Exhibition
The Pori Art School Graduation Exhibition presents the works of five graduating students. While the exhibition does not follow a common theme, the pieces have been created with the gallery space in mind. The works on display include drawings, paintings, and installations.
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Sanna Kauppinen (b. 1979) draws inspiration from myths and beliefs about dragonflies for her final project. In her works, these folk tales intertwine with personal life stories, creating a mystical world of their own. The intensity of her pieces is emphasized through the combination of minimalistic colors, bold composition, transparency, and delicate drawing marks. Kauppinen has realized her works by combining drawing and painting on wood surfaces and canvas, depending on the subject.
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Paula Koivuviita (b. 1976) values a deep connection with nature, which also serves as the foundation for her final project. In her oil painting series, an animal (a zebra) symbolically represents people and society. The series consists of nine tightly arranged canvas works, where the combination of figurative elements and abstract composition creates a kinetic whole.
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Riikka Oja (b. 1980) explores contemporary phenomena, particularly the experience of living in two different locations and the emotions it evokes. Her installation consists of a hand-carved wooden suitcase and over 20 small paintings. The paintings capture frozen moments from a journey—fragments of memory. The use of wood as a material highlights both the love of travel and the loneliness that can accompany it.
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Heini Partanen (b. 1980) is interested in depicting the complex relationship between humans and nature. In her paintings, wild nature intrudes into interior spaces, creating a stark contrast to traditional notions of home and security. Partanen enhances this duality by using delicate drawing techniques to portray raw subjects, while also employing light watercolor painting on large surfaces.
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Janne Sammalmaa (b. 1979) explores landscape painting through the lens of contemporary art. His approach involves technical experimentation, combining digital prints and carefully shaped painting surfaces with vibrant color-based painting. He is particularly interested in the events within a landscape and its various effects on the viewer. Sammalmaa hopes the audience experiences his landscapes through different emotional states.
This text was created with AI assistance