STILL LIFE – Documentations of Place, Aino Kurki

What is Place?
In everyday aesthetics Place can stand for a meaningful space formed within familiarity, ritual and repetition. It is construed by ordinary and seemingly trivial happenings within a space of certain importance. Place is tied with emotional intent by a replay of mundane, familiar and unfamiliar acts, thoughts and associations. Place is also where I stand. A red dot. My location in life, community and family. It is where I am with myself. Place is home. Home is Place. Heart, body and soul. Memories, mapping. Connections.

The still life studies are a progression of aesthetic studies contemplating on choice, sanctity and contingency of everyday life. Working with ink Kurki draws from perception of light, form and composition. Ink as a material is pleasing in its simplicity and plainness. Monochromatic and repetitive pictures give a sence of safety and continuity. Returning to the practice is a form of prayer or meditation; it includes observation, documentation, reflection and repetition.

Ano Kurki (1990) works in on washi paper as well as hand dyed recycled cotton found from their home, dyed with domestic materials. The still life studies represent their every day life and identity as a queer non-binary artist and activist.