Ninni Karjalainen | FINLAND
- 06-04
- 2 min. skaitymo
Introduction:
Ninni Karjalainen is a Finnish visual artist based in Kouvola, Finland. Her artistic practice spans painting, drawing, sculpture, and installation, with a strong interest in the relationship between landscape, mythology, and personal visual research.
Ninni studied visual arts at Repin Institute in Kotka and at Kouvola Vocational Institute in Kouvola. She also holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies from the University of Helsinki. Her participation in the residency was supported by Kouvola Vocational Institute Eduko through the Erasmus+ Mobility scholarship programme.
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During her residency in Palanga, Ninni Karjalainen continued her series of oil paintings for her upcoming exhibition Optical Dreams by the Water at the Maritime Centre Vellamo in Kotka, Finland, which will take place from October 2026 to March 2027. Her works explore the significance of water and the human relationship with bodies of water, while also drawing attention to ecological issues in the Baltic Sea.
In Palanga, Ninni investigated Lithuanian mythology, especially the legend of Eglė the Queen of Serpents, which had fascinated her through her friendship with Lithuanian photographer and researcher Greta Ciūnytė. Her project combined direct observation of the local environment with research into cultural narratives, symbols, and traditions.
A key part of her residency was working outdoors, allowing the landscape, atmosphere, and natural surroundings to directly inform the development of her visual language. Ninni created sketches and painted in situ in Palanga Botanical Park and along the seashore, took photographs, and gathered visual material that will serve as the basis for her future works.
Through drawing and painting outdoors, she deepened her understanding of place and translated this experience into new artistic material. Her residency also included an artist talk at the beginning of the programme and an open studio at its conclusion, creating opportunities for dialogue, exchange, and public engagement. These formats reflected her interest in building connections and sharing her creative process with the local community.
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