Elina Sarlin (FI)
Born 1977
Elina Sarlin explores the boundaries between everyday realism and explosive color patterns in her oil paintings. She presents the triviality of the present with incredible precision, shrouded by abundant colors and shapes – a clear reference to pop art culture. The works often center on individuals in the middle of ordinary activities; vacuuming, unpacking groceries, eating breakfast – but they are elevated above everyday life because of their hypnotizing patterns and playful color schemes. The artist toys with the beholders expectations of realism and adds a distinctive magic to the ordinary. Sarlin is on the one hand a fresh breath of air and color added to the gallery’s collection, on the other a direct continuation of our common thread because of her figurative realism.
Read more about the artist
The artist describes her works as follows:
“Reality always manifests itself in the present moment in contradictory, foolish, banal, beautiful ways. My works display a world that is rich, abundant and colorful in its details – and a person in it living their everyday life, in their most ordinary, exposed. Every moment is defined by itself creating a new context to what is essential and what is irrelevant. The paintings flirt with the concepts of the trivial and meaningful, trying to break away from conventionality, rigid thinking and unnecessary severity.
Nature is strongly represented in the works: Sometimes as the main motif and in the foreground, but often also somewhat hidden, in the background, as a reference and conceptualized, filtered by human. My paintings reflect the complexity we have in our relationship with nature. They also ponder upon controllability and uncontrollability of nature, the nostalgic longing for connection and the question of authenticity.
The missing eyes of the people in the works also refer to another, hidden level: The inner world, the vulnerability and the confusion of the individual. The paintings explore the present-day dreams and raise questions about the individual’s responsibility and choices amongst the dog biscuits, macaroons and broken eggs. The works seek to reach the daily chaos of life, it´s bizarre perfection – the grace of everyday life.”
Stud. mag. Nordic language and literature & Visual Culture, Anna Emilie Ravn
Show CV
EDUCATION
2007 Lahti university of applied sciences, Institute of Fine Arts
2004 Alfa-Art School of Arts
1999 Lahti folk high school
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018 Restaurant Sunn, Helsinki
2016 Gallery Katariina Studio, Helsinki
2014 Gallery Seinä, Helsinki
2014 Gallery Pleiku, Berlin
2011 tm-Gallery, Helsinki
2010 Gallery 12, Kuopio
2009 Gallery Johan S, Helsinki
2008 Kuusankoskitalo, Kuusankoski together with Rauni Hulke
2008 Gallery Ripustus, Hämeenlinna
2007 Gallery Leo, Helsinki
2006 Gallery Johan S, Helsinki
2005 City library 10, Helsinki
2004 Kirja cafe, Helsinki
2004 Kuusankosken Taidesiipi, Kuusankoski
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2020 Wintershow, GALLERI V58, DK
2019 Summer exhibition 2019, Galleri V58, Aarhus, Denmark, 1.6 -31.8
2019 Spring 2019, Galleri V58, Aarhus, Denmark, 11.5 -1.6
2019 Huntenkunst, Ulft, The Netherlands, 24.-26.5
2019 Topsy-turvy, Rovaniemi Art Museum, Rovaniemi,18.1 -22.9
2016 Art Goes Kapakka, Helsinki
2016 Villa Roosa, Orimattila
2016 Wiurila Mansion, Halikko
2015 Uncovererd, Korundi, Rovaniemi Art Museum, Rovaniemi
2014 Art Week Helsinki, Cable Factory, Helsinki
2013 The Animal -exhibition by invitation, Haihara Art Centre, Tampere
2012 Billnäs young artists, Billnäs Ironworks, Raasepori
2011 Luukku auki, Juried theme show of The artists´ society of Helsinki, Gallery Katariina, Helsinki,
2011 ArtForum Helsinki 2011, Helsinki Exhibition And Convention Centre
2011 ArtHelsinki 11, Johan S section, Helsinki Exhibition And Convention Centre
2011 Art Today 2011, Gallery Kohina, Eno
2011 Art Today 2011, Louhitalo, Eno
2011 Take away summer exhibition, Galleria Johan S, Helsinki
2010 Ihmisen tila, Gallery Katariina, Helsinki, together with Anniina Vainionpää, Tero Annanolli and Jari Järnström
2009 Art Centre Salmelas summer exhibition, Mäntyharju
2009 NAA exhibition My North, Rantakasarmi, Helsinki
2008 7. Uudet maan kuvat, Artborg 35, Sipoo
2008 Signs of the Times, summer exhibition of The artists' society of Helsinki, Rantakasarmi, Helsinki
2007 Maailmassa, Taidepanimo, Lahti
2007 The Art of Basware, Sanomatalon Mediatori, Helsinki
2006 Skjl annual exhibition, Taidepanimo, Lahti
2006 Kuusankoskitalo, Kuusankoski
2006 Taide, Fresh views of finnish art, Trygve Lie gallery, New York
2006 Taide, Art goes west, Smorgas Chef Restaurant, New York
2005 Kanneltalo gallery, Helsinki
2004 Kaapelitehdas, Helsinki
2002 Kanneltalo gallery, Helsinki, student exhibition
MEMBERSHIPS
Finnish Painters' Union
The Artists' Society of Helsinki
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation
Art Centre Salmela
Mäntyharju town
