Artist Statement
In my
art-making process I make connections between Americana and my own background. Even
though I only first came to the United States as a college senior in 2012,
American culture has influenced my life through media such as movies, television,
music videos and social media.
In these
artworks I explore my view of Native Americans. I am one-eight Sámi myself. Sámi
nation, also known as Laplanders, are the indigenous people of Northern Europe.
In my work, represented here, I’ve been influenced by Finnish photographer
Jorma Puranen’s series “Imaginary Homecoming”. My idea of Native Americans has
been based on imagery produced in pop culture. Seeing the reality around me here
in Tucson is teaching me new perspectives.
I have
always felt a need to come to the USA, and being here has proved my desire
right – on arriving I felt at home instantly. In my future work I’ll continue
researching my relation to Americana from different points of view – that of my
“American aunties” and that of “Gold
Rushers” family stories say about
relatives who moved to United States around 1900’s. Back then immigration was
very common to United States from Finland.
Being here
has also made me explore my own Finnish culture; as its saying states, “Going
far helps to see near”.
(Ink, charcoal, conté pastel and acrylic on paper, 2,5 ft x 3,5 ft, 2014)
(Ink, charcoal, conté pastel and acrylic on paper, 2,5 ft x 3,5 ft, 2014)
Olet todella taitava, hienoa jälkeä. Näitä lisää! Ja erityisesti nämä tarinat teosten takana ovat mielenkiintoisia.
ReplyDeletekiitos Suvi! Kovasti koitan hommia paiskia. Aika hitaasti kuitenkin syntyy tuotoksia (produkti), vaikka prosessi (tarina) jyllääkin non stop. Ja tieteellisen tutkimustyön (taidekasvatus) ja taiteellisen työskentelyn (studio artit) yhdistäminen on aika työlästä ja kuluttavaa... Tosi hassua, mut niin se on...
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