Those invited to participate are Emma Ainala, Milla Aska, Siiri Haarla, Taru Happonen, Karoliina Hellberg, Kaisa Huotari, Juliana Hyrri, Annamaari Hyttinen, Eveliina Hämäläinen, Essi Kuokkanen, Raana Lehtinen, Eeva Lietonen, Emma Luukkala, Iisa Maaranen, Elin Odentia, Melina Paakkonen, Sirkku Rosi, Kerttu Saali, Johanna Saikkonen, Riikka Sormunen, Astrid Strömberg and Ebba Svensson.
Each artist will exhibit a body of work of their own choosing, consisting of new or recently painted pieces. The range of techniques, themes, and styles is as diverse as the large group of artists.
The exhibition’s title refers to freshness: the inspiring new and the revitalised old. While examining contemporary painting, the exhibition also highlights the traditional nature of painting: a painting is slowly created by hand. It reflects time, movement and the artist’s presence. The colours, surface and brushstrokes reveal the process of creation. In this way, painting provides a human counterbalance to virtual reality.
When artificial intelligence is asked to generate an image, it draws on previously created images. However, it is unable to express that which is difficult to put into words: that which exists in an in-between state, is fluid and intuitive. This is precisely the terrain that many of the artists participating in the exhibition are exploring, explains exhibition curator Sarianne Soikkonen.
Marika Mäkelä, a painter and artist in the Sara Hildén Foundation’s collection, came up with the title and concept of the Freshly Painted exhibition. She has highlighted the vital support she received from her female colleagues throughout her career. In 1986, she participated in the Rakastetun kuva (A picture of a loved one) exhibition, held at Pyynikinlinna and featuring art created exclusively by young women — just as Freshly Painted does now, 40 years later.
Vastamaalattua – Freshly Painted
14.5.–30.8.2026
Sara Hildén Art Museum
