January 2010 Featured Artist: Tarja Saikkonen

Tarja Saikkonen (born 17.03.1980, Finland) started to design her Gupla Art Frames - series created in 2005 - when she realized she had found a natural means to express herself via art. Utilizing a mixed technique of recycled materials and sociological insights the works of art created are three-dimensional sculptures situated in the twilight zone of art and human design.

In her work, Saikkonen seeks to find and share insights without giving foothold to external constraints or dictations. Sculpting her message through experimental techniques and found materials she bravely shares her discoveries of the combined essence and vulnerability of life. Within her work, the soul of old recycled materials are united with the manifestations of human experience through design realizing a voice of her insights of humanity and its repetitive patterns.

Under a playful first impression the viewer can find a gloomier, pondering observer with disciplined order and harmony. While in her latest works as in Beyond and Harness, the artist examines the different kind of perceived skins we create to cover ourselves all the while asking the questions of: Do we really need them? Who is brave enough to shed these facades in this world led by present psychosis? What is remaining after? Is the truth more humbling than the false exteriors we create which are often more harmful than the perceived protection they are meant to provide? Are we really scared to reveal our inner self and admit our weaknesses, anxieties, and uncertainties not only in front of others but also to our personal self? What would we look like if we could actually see what we manifest in our lives?

"Mimesis" reflects a kind of circle of modern life. How we still repeat the same mistakes time after time. How life still goes on and how we find a new substrate to grow. The work still has a positive feeling. It still believes and gives hope.

As her latest works have increasingly examined the creative emotional essence of humans and their psychological discussing side, Saikkonen has been taking steps away from Art Frames and moving further into sculpture manifesting the introspection of psychosis. Rather than simply addressing the outward analytical and manifested appearances as with her artistic frame works, she is thus inclined toward soliciting more personal responsibility from her audience rather than cause and/or blame. As with all growth, Tarja’s work has moved from the outward - what others see as well pass off; to the inward - what we find within ourselves when we accept responsibility, or perhaps do not recognize at all but fear others might find. The transition from frames to sculptures is a representation of personal growth every human will embark upon some time or another throughout the course of life. Regardless of frames or sculptures, just as with life, the artist is still keeping the same recognisable touch without imposing limits for the next work coming.

VIEW TARJA'S WORK


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