Helsinki Contemporary (FI)

Helsinki Contemporary shows distinguished contemporary art by emerging and established artists from Finland and abroad. Spanning all artistic media, the core of the gallery's programme are artists who take an ambitious, in-depth approach to their work. The gallery focuses on creating international networks between artists, curators and galleries.

Bulevardi 10
FI-00120 Helsinki
(+358) 9 278 5301

info@helsinkicontemporary.com
helsinkicontemporary.com

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Curated for
CHART

For CHART 2022, Helsinki Contemporary has the pleasure to present works by artists Emma Ainala and Ilari Hautamäki. Ainala and Hautamäki are both painters, but with very different modes of expression. While Ainala’s figurative worlds are full of detail and an abundance of symbolism, Hautamäki seeks to systemize and simplify. Whilst they share a sophisticated understanding of colour, their stylistic differences create a compelling juxtaposition between the figurative and the abstract.

Emma Ainala (FI)

Emma Ainala’s intricate, multilayered paintings are at the same time very much in the present and contain references and subtle hints to art and cultural history. The worlds that Ainala builds in her works are personal yet shared, fantastical but tell of very real experiences. Human figures are central in her work and problematization of the gaze a recurring theme. Ainala aims to create paintings that are open to interpretations, where each viewer can find their own points of identification.

Emma Ainala’s (b. 1989) solo and group exhibitions include Hyvinkää Art Museum, Hyvinkää, Finland (2020), Finlandsinstitutets galleri, Stockholm, Sweden (2020), Jyväskylä Art Museum, Jyväskylä, Finland (2019), Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition, Copenhagen, Denmark (2018) and Kunsthalle Helsinki, Finland (2013). Ainala is represented in public collections, such as Niemistö Collection and Saastamoinen Foundation.

Twilight contemplation

Oil on canvas, 150 x 150 cm
2021

Photo by Jussi Tiainen

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Philosopher's picnic

Oil on canvas, 200 x 180 cm
2021

Photo by Jussi Tiainen

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Weeping spring

Oil on canvas, 30 x 40 cm
2022

Photo by Jussi Tiainen

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Season of the Witch

Installation view at Helsinki Contemporary
2021

Photo by Jussi Tiainen

Emma Ainala, Season of the Witch, Installation view at Helsinki Contemporary, 2021
Phoyo by Jussi Tiainen

Ilari Hautamäki (FI)

Ilari Hautamäki’s oeuvre blends the geometric abstract with the organic. In his richly coloured works Hautamäki investigates the relationships between the organic and the constructed, the fine balance between chaos and order. Developing his familiar theme of plants has led him to focus on the movement of the hand and to the inclusion of elements reminiscent of typography and calligraphy. Hautamäki composes works in the same way as a jazz piece: his paintings contain improvisation, rhythms, pauses, energies and fluidity.

Ilari Hautamäki (b. 1983) is a Helsinki based visual artist. Hautamäki’s latest solo exhibitions include Helsinki Contemporary, Helsinki, Finland (2019) and HAM Gallery, Helsinki, Finland (2017). He is represented in public collections, such as HAM – Helsinki Art Museum, Hämeenlinna Art Museum and Wihuri Foundation.